Thread: Could the expansion of the Universe be subject to negative feedback?

I was reading about population growth, logistic functions and negative feedback and I was wondering if the expansion rate of the Universe could be modeled using similar methods.

If so, could this help to explain things like early inflation and other current yet seemingly inconsistent data about the rate of expansion in the Universe since the Big Bang?

Originally Posted by Daecon

I was wondering if the expansion rate of the Universe could be modeled using similar methods

Not really, the expansion of the universe is modelled via the FLRW metric, being a solution to the Einstein field equations of General Relativity. It has nothing to do with "negative feedback".

So the expansion rate of the Universe doesn't fluctuate?

That's cool then, I guess I must have misunderstood some things. Never mind me.

Originally Posted by Daecon

So the expansion rate of the Universe doesn't fluctuate?

It fluctuated in the sense that immediately after the BB we had an era of very rapid expansion ( inflationary period ), followed by the the present day accelerating expansion at slower rates. However, what I was trying to point out is that this non-constant expansion rate isn't driven by negative feedback, but rather by the laws of Quantum Field Theory and General Relativity.

Ah, right. Thanks. I'm not that familiar with Quantum Field theory, does it have anything to do with a sigmoid function?

I've been introduced to several new concepts in a short space of time and I'm still trying to figure them all out in my head.

Originally Posted by Daecon

I'm not that familiar with Quantum Field theory, does it have anything to do with a sigmoid function?

No, QFT is a framework which has to do with how subatomic particles interact and behave. It's a topic from physics, but with a strong mathematical overtone. I'd say don't worry about it too much - it's a vast area, and very complicated.

Could the expansion of the Universe be subject to negative feedback?


"Could do better."

Originally Posted by RedPanda

Could the expansion of the Universe be subject to negative feedback?


"Could do better."

Aw.

Okay, I do have one, last final question before I accept that I don't know what I'm talking about.

If the Universe's expansion was following a sigmoid curve and we were only somewhere in the middle of the curve, would we have any way of finding that out?

Originally Posted by Daecon

Aw.

Just to be sure....you do know that wasn't a review of your question, yes?

Originally Posted by RedPanda

Originally Posted by Daecon

Aw.

Just to be sure....you do know that wasn't a review of your question, yes?

It wasn't? Sorry, I got a little confused there.

Originally Posted by Daecon

If the Universe's expansion was following a sigmoid curve and we were only somewhere in the middle of the curve, would we have any way of finding that out?

Yes, by looking at what the expansion was like in our past - and unfortunately the rate looked nothing like a sigmoid curve.

Originally Posted by Daecon

It wasn't? Sorry, I got a little confused there.

It was negative feedback...

...I'll get me coat.