Wikimedia Commons user Stanneredīut in terms of imagining this as a state of true nothingness, it's perhaps the ideal scenario that still keeps the laws of physics intact. The zero-point energy of many quantum systems is known to be greater than zero.

Note also how the lowest-energy (true vacuum) state is allowed to have a finite, positive, non-zero value. ground state, but there is a barrier preventing the field from classically rolling down to the true vacuum. Note that the energy E is higher than that in the true vacuum or. The photon would become a massive particle, the electromagnetic force would only travel short ranges, and practically all the sunlight our star emits would fail to make its way to Earth.Ī scalar field φ in a false vacuum. This would result in many unsavory things for our existence. To transition there from our current state would likely lead to a catastrophe that forever altered the Universe: a nightmare scenario known as vacuum decay.

It's still possible that we're in a false vacuum state, and that the true vacuum, or the true lowest-energy state, will either be closer to zero or may actually go all the way to zero (or below). We do not know whether this is the true 'ground state' of the Universe, i.e., the lowest energy state possible, or whether we can still go lower. Right now, our Universe has a zero-point energy, or an energy inherent to space itself, that's at a positive, non-zero value. Amber Stuver, from her blog, Living Ligoģ.) Nothingness as the ideal lowest-energy state possible for spacetime. has the lowest zero-point energy possible, it won't be possible to reduce it any further. Even without matter or radiation of any type, this form of 'nothing' still leads to a fascinating Universe.Ī representation of flat, empty space with no matter, energy or curvature of any type. This is where the phrase, 'a Universe from nothing' comes from. Today, this manifests itself as dark energy before the Big Bang, this manifested in the form of cosmic inflation, whose end gave rise to the entire Universe. The fundamental constants are all still in place, all with the same values we observe them to have.Īnd, perhaps most importantly, the zero-point energy of space is still there, and it's still at its current, positive, non-zero value. Spacetime is still there, governed by General Relativity. That includes the electromagnetic field, the gravitational field, the Higgs field, and the fields arising from the nuclear forces. The laws of physics are still there, which means that quantum fields still permeate the Universe. Derek Leinweberīut certain physical entities still remain, even under that highly restrictive and imaginative scenario. As long as quantum fields are present, this vacuum energy (or a cosmological constant) must be present, too. (Specifically, for the strong interactions.) Even in empty space, this vacuum energy is non-zero, and what appears to be the 'ground state' in one region of curved space will look different from the perspective of an observer where the spatial curvature differs. Visualization of a quantum field theory calculation showing virtual particles in the quantum vacuum. To some, that's the true scientific definition of 'nothingness.' With no particles or antiparticles, no matter or radiation, no identifiable quanta of any type in your Universe, all you'd have left is the void of empty space itself. If you could somehow remove them all - each and every one - you could ensure that the only thing that was left behind was empty space itself. Every particle and antiparticle, from the ghostly neutrino to whatever dark matter is, must be removed. If you follow that line of thinking, then the first definition is inadequate: it clearly contains 'something.' In order to achieve nothingness, you'll have to get rid of every fundamental constituent of matter. Perhaps you prefer a definition of nothing that contains literally 'no things' in it at all. BlakesleeĢ.) Nothingness is the void of empty space. NASA, ESA, Hubble Heritage Team (STScI / AURA) J. We can only imagine a Universe where space is truly empty. Although our most spectacular pictures of space are rich in galaxies, the majority of the volume of the Universe is devoid of matter, galaxies, and light entirely. The Universe is an amazing place, and the way it came to be today is something very much worth being.

Nasa meaning in science