Composition of the universe

Pro Research Analysisby

Searched over 200M research papers

Analyzed relevant papers

Composition of the Universe

Overview of Universe Composition

The universe is composed of four primary components: radiation, baryonic (ordinary) matter, dark matter, and dark energy. These elements collectively define the structure and evolution of the cosmos .

Baryonic Matter and Radiation

Baryonic matter, which includes all the atoms that make up stars, planets, and living beings, constitutes a small fraction of the universe's total mass-energy content. According to current estimates, baryonic matter accounts for approximately 4.9% of the universe . Radiation, which includes all forms of electromagnetic radiation such as light, is a minor component in the present-day universe but played a significant role in its early stages .

Dark Matter

Dark matter is a form of matter that does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects. It is crucial for the formation of galaxies and large-scale structures in the universe. Dark matter constitutes about 26.8% of the universe's total mass-energy content . It is believed to be composed of non-baryonic particles, with candidates including axions, neutralinos, and neutrinos .

Dark Energy

Dark energy is a mysterious force that is driving the accelerated expansion of the universe. It makes up the largest portion of the universe's composition, accounting for approximately 68.3% . The nature of dark energy remains one of the most significant unsolved problems in physics, with various theories suggesting it could be a property of space itself or a new dynamic field 26.

Evolution and Structure Formation

The universe's large-scale structure, including galaxies and clusters, formed from initial density fluctuations in the early universe. These fluctuations were amplified by gravitational forces, leading to the concentration of dark matter and the subsequent cooling and condensation of ordinary gases to form galaxies . This process has been extensively studied through computer simulations and observational data, providing insights into the universe's history from just 400,000 years after the Big Bang .

Current Understanding and Challenges

Despite significant advancements, several challenges remain in understanding the universe's composition. The exact nature of dark matter and dark energy is still unknown, and their detection and characterization are ongoing areas of research 129. Additionally, the distribution of matter in the universe, particularly within cosmic voids, provides constraints on cosmological models and tests for deviations from general relativity .

Conclusion

The composition of the universe is a complex interplay of baryonic matter, dark matter, and dark energy. While significant progress has been made in understanding these components, many questions remain unanswered. Continued research and observations are essential to unravel the mysteries of the universe's composition and its evolution.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

The building blocks of the universe

The universe is composed of four components: radiation, baryonic matter, dark matter, and dark energy, with dark matter and dark energy driving the acceleration of the expansion.

2021·

2citations

·A. John

What Is the Universe Made Of?

Dark energy makes up 30% of the universe, with matter making up 30% and the rest being a mysterious antigravity force known as dark energy.

Highly Cited

2005·

81citations

·C. Seife

The large-scale structure of the Universe

The rich tapestry of present-day cosmic structure arose during the first instants of creation, when weak ripples were imposed on the otherwise uniform and rapidly expanding primordial soup, and over 14 billion years, gravitational forces amplified these ripples to enormous proportions, producing ever-growing concentrations of dark matter in

Highly Cited

2006·

3031citations

·V. Springel et al.

The composition of our universe

This paper proposes a new method for determining the chemical composition of matter in our universe, using a combination of light and sound, to overcome the limitations of current methods.

1950·

1citation

·H. Brown

Emergent Universe from a composition of matter, exotic matter and dark energy

A flat Emergent Universe composed of exotic matter, dust, and dark energy cannot be ruled out with current data, and its viability is tested using recent observations.

2011·

37citations

·Bikash Chandra Paul et al.

A Physico-Chemical Approach To Understanding Cosmic Evolution: Thermodynamics Of Expansion And Composition Of The Universe

The expansion of the universe accelerated due to dark energy at 7.25 x 109 years, and dark matter is identified as a plasma form of matter similar to that which existed before recombination and during reionization.

2021·

0citations

·C. Melendres

Constraints on Cosmology and Gravity from the Dynamics of Voids.

The dynamics of cosmic voids constrain the average matter content and growth rate of structure in the universe, and no deviations from Einstein's general relativity are found in the data.

Highly Cited

2016·

92citations

·N. Hamaus et al.

Is the universe simpler than ΛCDM?

The standard cosmological model, based on cold dark matter and vacuum energy, may not be as simple as it appears, as galaxies exhibit structural scaling relations that evoke simplicity, challenging current formation models.

2014·

18citations

·M. Walker et al.

Dark matter in the Universe

Most of the material in the universe is "dark," contributing between 10% and 30% of the critical density, and the Einstein-de Sitter model suggests a universe composed of nonbaryonic matter.

1991·

35citations

·M. Turner

A Posteriori Speculations using Current Mass-Energy Composition of the Universe

The Planck Mission's mass-energy composition equation accurately confirms the universe's composition, with 26.8% dark matter, 68.3% dark energy, and 4.9% ordinary matter.

2015·

0citations

·J. Mullat

Try another search

gravitational singularity

sun revolves around earth theory

facts on black holes

quantum real

medical providers

what is dark energy