I’ve long suspected that at least some of the universal “constants” vary over time and perhaps distance.
Up until a few decades ago they believed the universe was expanding at a constant rate. Now they think it’s actually accelerating. And if that’s not strange enough, according to the Inflationary Big Bang model, the universe, in its earliest stage, expanded many times faster than light, then slowed down before speeding up again! Inflation theory needed to be added to the standard Big Bang theory because, on its own, the BBT doesn’t work. However, Inflation has even greater problems.
Correction to a previous post:
“Up until a few decades ago they believed the universe was expanding at a constant rate.”
Up until a few decades ago they believed the universe was infinitely slowing down due to gravitational attraction. However, it would be darn near a constant rate, given the infinitesimal small degree of deceleration.
Yes, the accelerating inflation is a problem the magnitude of which I don’t think is really grasped by most yet.
Acceleration requires a force, since F=MA, and conversely, A=F/M. If the matter is expanding, there must be a force to account for it, and it sure isn’t gravity, the weak force, or the strong force, so what is it? I doubt it’s electromagnetism, but what else is left?
It seems to me either science must admit a 5th fundamental force or find a way that EM could cause the accelerated expansion.