What Are Dark Matter And Dark Energy : The vastness of the universe has been a subject of human curiosity for centuries, but there are some mysteries that remain unresolved. Two of the biggest mysteries are Dark Matter and Dark Energy. While scientists have discovered a lot about these mysterious elements, the deeper secrets behind them remain elusive.
We are all curious about how vast our universe is. According to scientists, everything we can see stars, planets, galaxies comprises only 5% of the universe. The remaining 95% is made up of invisible elements called Dark Matter and Dark Energy. This fact forces us to reconsider just how small the visible part of our universe really is.
What is Dark Matter?
Dark Matter is an invisible and mysterious substance that we cannot see directly. It neither absorbs nor reflects light, but it influences everything in the universe. The existence of Dark Matter is inferred only through its gravitational effects. The stars, planets, and other celestial bodies in galaxies are held together by the gravitational influence of Dark Matter.
Dark Matter makes up about 26% of the universe. Scientists have observed that the total mass of galaxies is much greater than the mass of their visible components. This implies that there is something in these galaxies that we cannot see but has significant mass—this is Dark Matter. Although there are many theories about the potential particles of Dark Matter, scientists have yet to directly detect them.
What is Dark Energy?
Dark Energy is another mysterious force that is accelerating the expansion of the universe. When scientists discovered that the universe’s expansion was not slowing down but actually speeding up, the concept of Dark Energy was introduced. Dark Energy is believed to exist throughout every corner of the universe and is responsible for increasing the distance between galaxies over time.
Dark Energy constitutes about 69% of the universe. However, very little is known about it. Scientists have proposed several models to explain Dark Energy, the most famous being Einstein’s Cosmological Constant model. This model suggests that Dark Energy is uniformly distributed throughout the universe and is responsible for increasing the rate of the universe’s expansion over time.
What is the Difference Between Dark Matter and Dark Energy?
Dark Matter and Dark Energy are both mysterious elements of the universe, but they serve different purposes. The primary function of Dark Matter is to keep galaxies and other celestial bodies together through gravitational force. It can be thought of as the “glue” of the universe that prevents galaxies from breaking apart. On the other hand, Dark Energy is responsible for driving the expansion of the universe. It increases the distance between galaxies and accelerates the rate of expansion of the universe.
Still a Challenge for Scientists
Understanding Dark Matter and Dark Energy remains a significant challenge for scientists. There is still much to learn about these mysterious elements. However, research continues, and scientists are developing new ways to study and understand them. As our understanding of Dark Matter and Dark Energy deepens, it will provide greater insights into the birth, evolution, and future of the universe. Until these mysteries are fully unraveled, our understanding of the universe will remain incomplete.
These invisible elements of the universe remind us just how mysterious and complex our world is. Their discovery and understanding could herald a new era in the world of science, bringing humanity closer to uncovering the deepest secrets of the universe.
