Difference between revisions of "Expanding Universe: ordinarity, difficulties and paradoxes"

From Universe in Problems
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[Category:Dynamics of the Expanding Universe|4]]
 
[[Category:Dynamics of the Expanding Universe|4]]
__NOTOC__
+
 
 +
 
 
<p align="right">
 
<p align="right">
 
''... how is it possible for space,''<br/>
 
''... how is it possible for space,''<br/>
Line 10: Line 11:
 
</p>
 
</p>
  
== Warm-up ==
+
__TOC__
 
+
  
 +
== Warm-up ==
 
<div id="equ_exp1"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_exp1"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 1. ===
+
=== Problem 1: a spider on a string ===
 
An elastic rubber cord of $1$ meter length $1$ is attached to a wall. A spider sits on it at the junction to the wall, and a man holds the other end. The man starts moving away from the wall with velocity $1\, m/s$, and at the same time the spider starts to run along the cord with velocity $1\, cm/s$. Will the spider come up with the man?
 
An elastic rubber cord of $1$ meter length $1$ is attached to a wall. A spider sits on it at the junction to the wall, and a man holds the other end. The man starts moving away from the wall with velocity $1\, m/s$, and at the same time the spider starts to run along the cord with velocity $1\, cm/s$. Will the spider come up with the man?
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 29: Line 30:
  
 
<div id="equ_b0"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_b0"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 2. ===
+
=== Problem 2: law of inertia ===
 
Does the law of inertia hold in an expanding Universe?
 
Does the law of inertia hold in an expanding Universe?
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 51: Line 52:
  
 
<div id="equ_exp2"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_exp2"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 3. ===
+
=== Problem 3: a particle's momentum in expanding Universe ===
Suppose a particle's mean free path in an expanding Universe is small enough. Show that its momentum decreases as$^*$ $p(t)\propto a(t)^{-1}$.
+
Suppose a particle's mean free path in an expanding Universe is small enough. Show that its momentum decreases as $^*$ $p(t)\propto a(t)^{-1}$.
  
$^*$This is a generalization of the previous problem to relativistic case, but still a simplification of the general [[Friedman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker_(FLRW)_metric#equGeo2|formulation]].
+
$^*$This is a generalization of the previous problem to relativistic case, but still a simplification of the [[Friedman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker_(FLRW)_metric#equGeo2|general formulation]].
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
Line 94: Line 95:
 
<div id="equ_exp3"></div>
 
<div id="equ_exp3"></div>
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 4. ===
+
 
 +
=== Problem 4: comoving phase volume ===
 
Show that the comoving phase volume equals to the physical one.
 
Show that the comoving phase volume equals to the physical one.
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 109: Line 111:
  
 
<div id="equ72nn"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ72nn"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 5. ===
+
=== Problem 5: twin's paraadox ===
Show that the twins' paradox is resolved in the FLRW Universe in the same way as in the Minkowski spacetime: the twin who experienced non-zero acceleration appears to be younger than his brother$^*$.
+
Show that the twins' paradox is resolved in the FLRW Universe in the same way as in the Minkowski spacetime: the twin who experienced non-zero acceleration appears to be younger than his brother.
  
$^*$O.Gron, S. Braeck, arXiv:0909.5364
+
O.Gron, S. Braeck, [http://arxiv.org/abs/0909.5364 arXiv:0909.5364]
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
Line 126: Line 128:
 
<div id="equ_b7"></div>
 
<div id="equ_b7"></div>
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 6. ===
+
 
 +
=== Problem 6: Hubble time ===
 
Show that the Hubble's time $H_{0}^{-1}$ gives the characteristic time scale for any stage of evolution of the Universe.
 
Show that the Hubble's time $H_{0}^{-1}$ gives the characteristic time scale for any stage of evolution of the Universe.
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
+
<!-- <div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
     <p style="text-align: left;"></p>
 
     <p style="text-align: left;"></p>
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
</div></div>
+
</div> --></div>
  
  
  
 
<div id="equ_b8"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_b8"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 7. ===
+
 
 +
=== Problem 7: Hubble radius ===
 
Show that in a Universe which expands with acceleration the Hubble's radius decreases.
 
Show that in a Universe which expands with acceleration the Hubble's radius decreases.
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
+
<!-- <div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
     <p style="text-align: left;"></p>
 
     <p style="text-align: left;"></p>
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
</div></div>
+
</div> --></div>
  
  
  
 
<div id="equ_b9"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_b9"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 8. ===
+
=== Problem 8: velocity of Hubble sphere ===
 
Show that the surface of Hubble's sphere recedes with velocity $V=c(1+q)$, where $q=-a\ddot{a}/(\dot{a})^2$ is the deceleration parameter.
 
Show that the surface of Hubble's sphere recedes with velocity $V=c(1+q)$, where $q=-a\ddot{a}/(\dot{a})^2$ is the deceleration parameter.
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
+
<!-- <div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
     <p style="text-align: left;"></p>
 
     <p style="text-align: left;"></p>
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
</div></div>
+
</div> --></div>
  
  
  
 
<div id="equ63"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ63"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 9. ===
+
=== Problem 9: redshift and Hubble sphere ===
 
Show that the standard definition of  redshift is valid only inside the Hubble's sphere.
 
Show that the standard definition of  redshift is valid only inside the Hubble's sphere.
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 179: Line 183:
  
 
<div id="equ_b1"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_b1"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 10. ===
+
=== Problem 10: cosmological recession and peculiar velocities ===
 
Let us consider radial motion in the uniform and homogeneous Universe. For this case the FLRW metric reduces to
 
Let us consider radial motion in the uniform and homogeneous Universe. For this case the FLRW metric reduces to
 
\[ds^2 =c^2 dt^2 -a^{2}(t)d\chi^{2}.\]
 
\[ds^2 =c^2 dt^2 -a^{2}(t)d\chi^{2}.\]
Line 197: Line 201:
  
 
<div id="equ_b1a"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_b1a"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 11. ===
+
=== Problem 11: lightspeed recession ===
 
Determine the distance to a galaxy which, due to the Hubble's expansion, recedes from us with the speed of light.
 
Determine the distance to a galaxy which, due to the Hubble's expansion, recedes from us with the speed of light.
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 204: Line 208:
 
     <p style="text-align: left;">Consider a comoving observer. According to the Hubble's law, a galaxy at distance $r$  recedes along his line of sight with velocity $\vec{v} = H \vec r$. Evidently there is the distance $R_H=cH^{-1}$ where the recession velocity is equal to lightspeed. This distance is called the Hubble's radius.
 
     <p style="text-align: left;">Consider a comoving observer. According to the Hubble's law, a galaxy at distance $r$  recedes along his line of sight with velocity $\vec{v} = H \vec r$. Evidently there is the distance $R_H=cH^{-1}$ where the recession velocity is equal to lightspeed. This distance is called the Hubble's radius.
  
Richard Feinman wrote$^*$: This constant ($T=H_{0}^{-1}$) represents a lifetime of the universe; not necessarily that we believe that the universe did begin T years ago, but rather it represents a fundamental dimension of the universe, much in the way that the quantity $e^{2}/mc^2$ represents the "electron radius."
+
Richard Feinman wrote$^*$: "This constant ($T=H_{0}^{-1}$) represents a lifetime of the universe; not necessarily that we believe that the universe did begin T years ago, but rather it represents a fundamental dimension of the universe, much in the way that the quantity $e^{2}/mc^2$ represents the "electron radius.""</p>
  
$^*$Feynman, Morinigo, Wagner. Feynman lectures on gravitation, AW, 1995, p.8.
+
<p style="text-align: left;">$^*$Feynman, Morinigo, Wagner. Feynman lectures on gravitation, AW, 1995, p.8.
 
</p>
 
</p>
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
Line 215: Line 219:
 
<div id="equ_b1b"></div>
 
<div id="equ_b1b"></div>
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 12. ===
+
 
 +
=== Problem 12: superluminal cosmological velocities ===
 
Is it possible for cosmological objects to recede from us with superluminal speeds?
 
Is it possible for cosmological objects to recede from us with superluminal speeds?
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
     <p style="text-align: left;">Consider two points in flat FLRW Universe, which were situated at distance $R$ from each other at time $t$. If the points do not change their spatial (comoving) coordinates, so are at rest in this sense, but take part in the general expansion of the Universe (the Hubble's flow), the distance between them increases with velocity $\frac{dR}{dt} = HR$. This means if the distance between them is larger than the Hubble's radius $R=cH^{-1}$, it increases with superluminal velocity. It should be stressed that there is nothing paradoxical here, as one deals with velocity with which the distance between objects increases when they are captured by common cosmological expansion, and it is neither the velocity of signal transmission due to local changes of spatial coordinates of particles nor velocity of their relative motion.
+
     <p style="text-align: left;">Consider two points in flat FLRW Universe, which were situated at distance $R$ from each other at time $t$. If the points do not change their spatial (comoving) coordinates, so are at rest in this sense, but take part in the general expansion of the Universe (the Hubble's flow), the distance between them increases with velocity $\frac{dR}{dt} = HR$. This means if the distance between them is larger than the Hubble's radius $R=cH^{-1}$, it increases with superluminal velocity. It should be stressed that there is nothing paradoxical here, as one deals with velocity with which the distance between objects increases when they are captured by common cosmological expansion, and it is neither the velocity of signal transmission due to local changes of spatial coordinates of particles nor velocity of their relative motion.</p>
  
A. D. Linde: "I was told that when Shklovkiy was dying he was visited by Rosental, and the latter then told me that Shklovkiy was lying in bed and said: "Well, I understand everything ..." -- he was a remarkable astrophysicist, the best astrophysicist ever, -- "... understand everything\ldots but how could they make a theory in which everything expands with superluminal speed?". So do not feel ashame of the lack of understanding\ldots The situation is as follows. There are two different types of expansion. The first is like a wave moves, a signal propagates. The signal cannot go faster that the speed of light. The second type...  imagine the Universe as a rubber membrane which is stretched. Let us drive two nails in it. This is the Hubble's type of expansion, which is $a$ dotted and so on, - it increases the distance between the two nails, the two galaxies. General Relativity can only describe this effect --- the stretching of the membrane. And on the velocity of mutual recession for the two nails there are no limitations."</p>
+
<p style="text-align: left;">A. D. Linde: "I was told that when Shklovsky was dying he was visited by Rosental, and the latter then told me that Shklovsky was lying in bed and said: "Well, I understand everything ..." -- he was a remarkable astrophysicist, the best astrophysicist ever, -- "... understand everything... but how could they make a theory in which everything expands with superluminal speed?". So do not feel ashame of the lack of understanding\ldots The situation is as follows. There are two different types of expansion. The first is like a wave moves, a signal propagates. The signal cannot go faster that the speed of light. The second type...  imagine the Universe as a rubber membrane which is stretched. Let us drive two nails in it. This is the Hubble's type of expansion, which is $a$ dotted and so on, --- it increases the distance between the two nails, the two galaxies. General Relativity can only describe this effect --- the stretching of the membrane. And on the velocity of mutual recession for the two nails there are no limitations."</p>
 
   </div>
 
   </div>
 
</div></div>
 
</div></div>
 
  
  
 
<div id="equ_b1c"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_b1c"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 13. ===
+
 
 +
=== Problem 13: observing superluminal velocities ===
 
Is it possible to observe galaxies receding with superluminal speeds?
 
Is it possible to observe galaxies receding with superluminal speeds?
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 241: Line 246:
  
 
<div id="equ_b2"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_b2"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 14. ===
+
=== Problem 14: tethered galaxy problem ===
 
Imagine that we separate a small test galaxy from the Hubble flow by tethering it to an observer such that the proper distance between them remains constant. We can think of the tethered galaxy as one that has received a peculiar velocity boost toward the observer that exactly matches its recession velocity. We then remove the tether (or turn off the boosting rocket) to establish the initial condition of constant proper distance $\dot{D}_{0}=0$. Determine the future fate of the test galaxy: will it approach the observer, recede from him or remain at constant distance?
 
Imagine that we separate a small test galaxy from the Hubble flow by tethering it to an observer such that the proper distance between them remains constant. We can think of the tethered galaxy as one that has received a peculiar velocity boost toward the observer that exactly matches its recession velocity. We then remove the tether (or turn off the boosting rocket) to establish the initial condition of constant proper distance $\dot{D}_{0}=0$. Determine the future fate of the test galaxy: will it approach the observer, recede from him or remain at constant distance?
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
     <p style="text-align: left;"> The momentum $p$ with respect to the local comoving frame decays as $1/a$ (see problems [[Friedman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker_(FLRW)_metric#equGeo2|this]] and [[Expanding_Universe:_ordinarity,_difficulties_and_paradoxes#equ_exp2|this]]). This scale factor  dependent decrease in momentum is an important basis for many of the results. For nonrelativistic velocities $p=mv_{rec}$, therefore,
+
     <p style="text-align: left;"> The momentum $p$ with respect to the local comoving frame decays as $1/a$ (see [[Friedman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker_(FLRW)_metric#equGeo2|this]] and [[Expanding_Universe:_ordinarity,_difficulties_and_paradoxes#equ_exp2|that]] problem). This scale factor  dependent decrease in momentum is an important basis for many of the results. For nonrelativistic velocities $p=mv_{rec}$, therefore,
 
\begin{align}
 
\begin{align}
 
&v_{pec}=\frac{v_{pec\,,0}}{a},\nonumber\\
 
&v_{pec}=\frac{v_{pec\,,0}}{a},\nonumber\\
Line 264: Line 269:
 
<div id="equ_b3"></div>
 
<div id="equ_b3"></div>
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 15. ===
+
=== Problem 15: Hubble flow ===
 
Show that, provided the Universe expands forever, the test galaxy considered in the previous problem asymptotically joins the Hubble flow.
 
Show that, provided the Universe expands forever, the test galaxy considered in the previous problem asymptotically joins the Hubble flow.
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 279: Line 284:
  
 
<div id="equ_b4"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_b4"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 16. ===
+
=== Problem 16: Hubble's law for acceleration ===
 
Obtain the analogue of the Hubble's law for acceleration in presence of radial peculiar velocity.
 
Obtain the analogue of the Hubble's law for acceleration in presence of radial peculiar velocity.
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 298: Line 303:
 
<div id="equ_b5"></div>
 
<div id="equ_b5"></div>
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 17. ===
+
=== Problem 17: another derivation ===
 
Derive the result of the previous problem by direct differentiation of the Hubble's law.
 
Derive the result of the previous problem by direct differentiation of the Hubble's law.
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 316: Line 321:
 
<div id="equ_b6"></div>
 
<div id="equ_b6"></div>
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 18. ===
+
=== Problem 18: relative motion and redshifts ===
 
In the context of special relativity (Minkowski space), objects at rest with respect to an observer have zero redshift. However, in an expanding universe special relativistic concepts do not generally apply. "At rest" is defined to be "at constant proper distance" ($v_{tot}=\dot{D}= 0$), so our untethered galaxy with $\dot{D}=0$ satisfies the condition
 
In the context of special relativity (Minkowski space), objects at rest with respect to an observer have zero redshift. However, in an expanding universe special relativistic concepts do not generally apply. "At rest" is defined to be "at constant proper distance" ($v_{tot}=\dot{D}= 0$), so our untethered galaxy with $\dot{D}=0$ satisfies the condition
 
for being at rest. Will it therefore have zero redshift?
 
for being at rest. Will it therefore have zero redshift?
 
That is, are $z_{tot}=0$ and $v_{tot}=0$ equivalent?
 
That is, are $z_{tot}=0$ and $v_{tot}=0$ equivalent?
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
+
   <div class="NavHead">no solution</div>
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
     <p style="text-align: left;"></p>
 
     <p style="text-align: left;"></p>
Line 330: Line 335:
  
 
<div id="equ_b7"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_b7"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 19. ===
+
=== Problem 19: addition of redshifts ===
 
Show that, although radial recession and peculiar velocities add vectorially, their corresponding redshifts combine as
 
Show that, although radial recession and peculiar velocities add vectorially, their corresponding redshifts combine as
 
\[1+z_{tot}=(1+z_{rec})(1+z_{pec}).\]
 
\[1+z_{tot}=(1+z_{rec})(1+z_{pec}).\]
Line 351: Line 356:
  
 
<div id="equ_red1"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_red1"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 20. ===
+
=== Problem 20: cosmological redshift as sum of Doppler shifts ===
 
Derive the cosmological redshift as the result of addition of infinitesimal Dopper shifts due to relative velocities of galaxies along the worldline of a photon.
 
Derive the cosmological redshift as the result of addition of infinitesimal Dopper shifts due to relative velocities of galaxies along the worldline of a photon.
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 363: Line 368:
 
\[\omega a=const\quad\Rightarrow\quad
 
\[\omega a=const\quad\Rightarrow\quad
 
\omega\sim\frac{1}{a}.\]
 
\omega\sim\frac{1}{a}.\]
Thus its redshift ([[Friedman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker_(FLRW)_metric#equ70|see problem]]) is
+
Thus its redshift by definition is
 
\[1+z=\frac{\omega_{emit}}{\omega_{obs}}
 
\[1+z=\frac{\omega_{emit}}{\omega_{obs}}
 
=\frac{a_{obs}}{a_{emit}}.\]</p>
 
=\frac{a_{obs}}{a_{emit}}.\]</p>
Line 373: Line 378:
 
<div id="equ_red2"></div>
 
<div id="equ_red2"></div>
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 21. ===
+
=== Problem 21: relative velocities of distant galaxies ===
 
Suppose the source galaxy $A$ and detector galaxy $B$ are moving with the Hubble flow. Imagine a family of comoving observers situated along the trajectory of the photon. Let the observer 1, closest to the source galaxy, measure his velocity $v_1$ relative to the galaxy and send this information along with the photon to the next closest to him observer 2. Observer 2 measures his velocity $u$ relative to observer 1 and calculates his velocity relative to the galaxy $v_2$ according to the special relativistic formula
 
Suppose the source galaxy $A$ and detector galaxy $B$ are moving with the Hubble flow. Imagine a family of comoving observers situated along the trajectory of the photon. Let the observer 1, closest to the source galaxy, measure his velocity $v_1$ relative to the galaxy and send this information along with the photon to the next closest to him observer 2. Observer 2 measures his velocity $u$ relative to observer 1 and calculates his velocity relative to the galaxy $v_2$ according to the special relativistic formula
 
\[v_{2}=\frac{v_1 +u}{1+v_1 u}.\]
 
\[v_{2}=\frac{v_1 +u}{1+v_1 u}.\]
Line 397: Line 402:
  
 
<div id="equ_red3"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_red3"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 22. ===
+
=== Problem 22: cosmological redshift and relative velocity ===
 
Show that the registered cosmological redshift corresponds to Doppler effect with this very velocity $v_{rel}$.
 
Show that the registered cosmological redshift corresponds to Doppler effect with this very velocity $v_{rel}$.
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
Line 416: Line 421:
 
<div id="equ_red4"></div>
 
<div id="equ_red4"></div>
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 23. ===
+
=== Problem 23: parellel-transported relative velocity ===
 
Find the relative physical velocity of two particles with $4$-velocities $u_{1}^{\mu}$ and $u_{2}^{\mu}$. Let $u_{1}^{\mu}$ be the $4$-velocity of the comoving detector at the moment of detection, and let $u_{2}^{\mu}$ be the $4$-velocity of the source at the moment of emission, parallel transported to the detector along the worldline of the photon$^*$.
 
Find the relative physical velocity of two particles with $4$-velocities $u_{1}^{\mu}$ and $u_{2}^{\mu}$. Let $u_{1}^{\mu}$ be the $4$-velocity of the comoving detector at the moment of detection, and let $u_{2}^{\mu}$ be the $4$-velocity of the source at the moment of emission, parallel transported to the detector along the worldline of the photon$^*$.
  
Line 423: Line 428:
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
     <p style="text-align: left;">a) The Lorentz factor of a particle with $4$-velocity $u_{1}^{\mu}$ relative to an observer with $4$-velocity $u_{2}^{\mu}$ is ([[Equations_of_General_Relativity#equ_oto1a|see problem]])
+
     <p style="text-align: left;">a) The Lorentz factor of a particle with $4$-velocity $u_{1}^{\mu}$ relative to an observer with $4$-velocity $u_{2}^{\mu}$ is (see the [[Equations_of_General_Relativity#equ_oto1a|problem on observable invariants]])
 
\[\gamma=u_{1}^{\mu}u_{2\,\mu},\]
 
\[\gamma=u_{1}^{\mu}u_{2\,\mu},\]
 
therefore their relative physical velocity is
 
therefore their relative physical velocity is
Line 471: Line 476:
 
<div id="equ_kill4"></div>
 
<div id="equ_kill4"></div>
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 24. ===
+
=== Problem 24: Killing tensors ===
 
A Killing tensor $K_{\mu\nu}$ is a tensor field, which obeys the generalization of the Killing equation
 
A Killing tensor $K_{\mu\nu}$ is a tensor field, which obeys the generalization of the Killing equation
 
\[\nabla_{(\mu}K_{\nu\lambda)}=0,\]
 
\[\nabla_{(\mu}K_{\nu\lambda)}=0,\]
Line 491: Line 496:
  
 
<div id="equ_kill5"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_kill5"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 25. ===
+
=== Problem 25: Killing tensor in FLRW metric ===
 
Verify that the tensor
 
Verify that the tensor
 
\begin{equation}\label{FLRWKillingTensor}
 
\begin{equation}\label{FLRWKillingTensor}
Line 529: Line 534:
 
\Gamma_{0,ij}&=-\tfrac{1}{2}\partial_{0}g_{ij}
 
\Gamma_{0,ij}&=-\tfrac{1}{2}\partial_{0}g_{ij}
 
=-\frac{\dot{a}}{a}g_{ij},
 
=-\frac{\dot{a}}{a}g_{ij},
\quad\mbox{for}\; i,i=1,2,3,
+
\quad\mbox{for}\; i,j=1,2,3,
 
\end{align*}
 
\end{align*}
 
we see that they can be put down in the form
 
we see that they can be put down in the form
Line 550: Line 555:
  
 
<div id="equ_kill6"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
 
<div id="equ_kill6"></div><div style="border: 1px solid #AAA; padding:5px;">
=== Problem 26. ===
+
 
 +
=== Problem 26: a particle's momentum in expanding Universe revisited ===
 
Show that due to the Killing tensor (\ref{FLRWKillingTensor}), the physical momentum of a particle, measured by comoving observers, changes with time as $p\sim 1/a$.
 
Show that due to the Killing tensor (\ref{FLRWKillingTensor}), the physical momentum of a particle, measured by comoving observers, changes with time as $p\sim 1/a$.
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
<div class="NavFrame collapsed">
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div class="NavHead">solution</div>
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
 
   <div style="width:100%;" class="NavContent">
     <p style="text-align: left;">The Lorentz factor of a particle with $4$-velocity $u^{\mu}$ relative to a particle with $4$-velocity $v^{\mu}$ is ([[Equations_of_General_Relativity#equ_oto1a|see problem]])
+
     <p style="text-align: left;">The Lorentz factor of a particle with $4$-velocity $u^{\mu}$ relative to a particle with $4$-velocity $v^{\mu}$ is (see [[Equations_of_General_Relativity#equ_oto1a|the problem on observable invariants]])
 
\[\gamma=u^{\mu}v_{\mu}.\]
 
\[\gamma=u^{\mu}v_{\mu}.\]
  

Latest revision as of 18:43, 11 October 2012


... how is it possible for space,
which is utterly empty, to expand?
How can nothing expand?
The answer is: space does not expand.
Cosmologists sometimes talk about expanding space,
but they should know better.

Warm-up

Problem 1: a spider on a string

An elastic rubber cord of $1$ meter length $1$ is attached to a wall. A spider sits on it at the junction to the wall, and a man holds the other end. The man starts moving away from the wall with velocity $1\, m/s$, and at the same time the spider starts to run along the cord with velocity $1\, cm/s$. Will the spider come up with the man?


Problem 2: law of inertia

Does the law of inertia hold in an expanding Universe?


Problem 3: a particle's momentum in expanding Universe

Suppose a particle's mean free path in an expanding Universe is small enough. Show that its momentum decreases as $^*$ $p(t)\propto a(t)^{-1}$.

$^*$This is a generalization of the previous problem to relativistic case, but still a simplification of the general formulation.


Problem 4: comoving phase volume

Show that the comoving phase volume equals to the physical one.


Problem 5: twin's paraadox

Show that the twins' paradox is resolved in the FLRW Universe in the same way as in the Minkowski spacetime: the twin who experienced non-zero acceleration appears to be younger than his brother.

O.Gron, S. Braeck, arXiv:0909.5364


Problem 6: Hubble time

Show that the Hubble's time $H_{0}^{-1}$ gives the characteristic time scale for any stage of evolution of the Universe.


Problem 7: Hubble radius

Show that in a Universe which expands with acceleration the Hubble's radius decreases.


Problem 8: velocity of Hubble sphere

Show that the surface of Hubble's sphere recedes with velocity $V=c(1+q)$, where $q=-a\ddot{a}/(\dot{a})^2$ is the deceleration parameter.


Problem 9: redshift and Hubble sphere

Show that the standard definition of redshift is valid only inside the Hubble's sphere.


The tethered galaxy problem

Problem 10: cosmological recession and peculiar velocities

Let us consider radial motion in the uniform and homogeneous Universe. For this case the FLRW metric reduces to \[ds^2 =c^2 dt^2 -a^{2}(t)d\chi^{2}.\] Proper (physical) distance is defined as the distance (measured along the constant time section $dt=0$) between an observer and a galaxy with given comoving coordinate. Let us define the total velocity of a test galaxy as the time derivative of the proper distance \[v_{tot}=\dot{D},\quad \dot{D}=\dot{a}\chi+a\dot{\chi},\quad v_{tot}=v_{rec}+v_{pec}.\] Here $v_{rec}$ is the recession velocity of the test galaxy and $v_{pec}$ is its peculiar velocity. What can be said of the possible values of these velocities?


Problem 11: lightspeed recession

Determine the distance to a galaxy which, due to the Hubble's expansion, recedes from us with the speed of light.


Problem 12: superluminal cosmological velocities

Is it possible for cosmological objects to recede from us with superluminal speeds?


Problem 13: observing superluminal velocities

Is it possible to observe galaxies receding with superluminal speeds?


Problem 14: tethered galaxy problem

Imagine that we separate a small test galaxy from the Hubble flow by tethering it to an observer such that the proper distance between them remains constant. We can think of the tethered galaxy as one that has received a peculiar velocity boost toward the observer that exactly matches its recession velocity. We then remove the tether (or turn off the boosting rocket) to establish the initial condition of constant proper distance $\dot{D}_{0}=0$. Determine the future fate of the test galaxy: will it approach the observer, recede from him or remain at constant distance?


Problem 15: Hubble flow

Show that, provided the Universe expands forever, the test galaxy considered in the previous problem asymptotically joins the Hubble flow.


Problem 16: Hubble's law for acceleration

Obtain the analogue of the Hubble's law for acceleration in presence of radial peculiar velocity.


Problem 17: another derivation

Derive the result of the previous problem by direct differentiation of the Hubble's law.


Problem 18: relative motion and redshifts

In the context of special relativity (Minkowski space), objects at rest with respect to an observer have zero redshift. However, in an expanding universe special relativistic concepts do not generally apply. "At rest" is defined to be "at constant proper distance" ($v_{tot}=\dot{D}= 0$), so our untethered galaxy with $\dot{D}=0$ satisfies the condition for being at rest. Will it therefore have zero redshift? That is, are $z_{tot}=0$ and $v_{tot}=0$ equivalent?


Problem 19: addition of redshifts

Show that, although radial recession and peculiar velocities add vectorially, their corresponding redshifts combine as \[1+z_{tot}=(1+z_{rec})(1+z_{pec}).\]


Cosmological redshift

Inspired by E. Bunn, D. Hogg. The kinematic origin of the cosmological redshift. Am. J. Phys. 77:688-694, (2009); arXiv:0808.1081.

Problem 20: cosmological redshift as sum of Doppler shifts

Derive the cosmological redshift as the result of addition of infinitesimal Dopper shifts due to relative velocities of galaxies along the worldline of a photon.


Problem 21: relative velocities of distant galaxies

Suppose the source galaxy $A$ and detector galaxy $B$ are moving with the Hubble flow. Imagine a family of comoving observers situated along the trajectory of the photon. Let the observer 1, closest to the source galaxy, measure his velocity $v_1$ relative to the galaxy and send this information along with the photon to the next closest to him observer 2. Observer 2 measures his velocity $u$ relative to observer 1 and calculates his velocity relative to the galaxy $v_2$ according to the special relativistic formula \[v_{2}=\frac{v_1 +u}{1+v_1 u}.\] He sends this information along. What will be the velocity $v_{rel}$ of the observers relative to the galaxy, defined this way, in terms of scale factors at the moment of emission and at the moment of detection?


Problem 22: cosmological redshift and relative velocity

Show that the registered cosmological redshift corresponds to Doppler effect with this very velocity $v_{rel}$.


Problem 23: parellel-transported relative velocity

Find the relative physical velocity of two particles with $4$-velocities $u_{1}^{\mu}$ and $u_{2}^{\mu}$. Let $u_{1}^{\mu}$ be the $4$-velocity of the comoving detector at the moment of detection, and let $u_{2}^{\mu}$ be the $4$-velocity of the source at the moment of emission, parallel transported to the detector along the worldline of the photon$^*$.

$^*$A vector $a$ is parallel transported along a curve with tangent vector $u^{\mu}$, if $u^{\mu}\nabla_{\mu}a^{\nu}=0$.


Problem 24: Killing tensors

A Killing tensor $K_{\mu\nu}$ is a tensor field, which obeys the generalization of the Killing equation \[\nabla_{(\mu}K_{\nu\lambda)}=0,\] where parenthesis denote symmetrization over all indices. Prove that the quantity $K_{\mu\nu}u^{\mu}u^{\nu}$ is conserved along a geodesics with tangent vector $u^{\mu}$.


Problem 25: Killing tensor in FLRW metric

Verify that the tensor \begin{equation}\label{FLRWKillingTensor} K_{\mu\nu} =a^{2}\big(u_{\mu}u_{\nu}-g_{\mu\nu}\big), \end{equation} where $u^{\mu}$ is the $4$-velocity of a comoving particle, is a Killing tensor for the FLRW metric.


Problem 26: a particle's momentum in expanding Universe revisited

Show that due to the Killing tensor (\ref{FLRWKillingTensor}), the physical momentum of a particle, measured by comoving observers, changes with time as $p\sim 1/a$.