FRW Universe Models in Conformally Flat Spacetime Coordinates. III: Universe models with positive spatial curvature

We deduce general expressions for the line element of universe models with positive spatial curvature described by conformally flat spacetime coordinates. Models with dust, radiation and vacuum energy are exhibited. Discussing the existence of particle horizons we show that there is continual annihilation of space, matter and energy in a dust and radiation dominated universe, and continual creation in a LIVE domined universe when conformal time is used in Friedmann-Robertson-Walker models with positive spatial curvature. A general procedure is given for finding coordinates to be used in Penrose diagrams. We also calculate the age and the redshift of some universe models using conformal time.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figure

Aggemose: An Inland Site from the Early Kongemose Culture on Langeland

Aggemose: An Inland Site from the Early Kongemose Culture on Langelan

Aggemose - part II.: Refitting and wall effect

Aggemose - part II. Refitting and wall effec

Relativistic contraction and related effects in noninertial frames

Although there is no relative motion among different points on a rotating disc, each point belongs to a different noninertial frame. This fact, not recognized in previous approaches to the Ehrenfest paradox and related problems, is exploited to give a correct treatment of a rotating ring and a rotating disc. Tensile stresses are recovered, but, contrary to the prediction of the standard approach, it is found that an observer on the rim of the disc will see equal lengths of other differently moving objects as an inertial observer whose instantaneous position and velocity are equal to that of the observer on the rim. The rate of clocks at various positions, as seen by various observers, is also discussed. Some results are generalized for observers arbitrarily moving in a flat or a curved spacetime. The generally accepted formula for the space line element in a non-time-orthogonal frame is found inappropriate in some cases. Use of Fermi coordinates leads to the result that for any observer the velocity of light is isotropic and is equal to $c$, providing that it is measured by propagating a light beam in a small neighborhood of the observer.Comment: 15 pages, significantly revised version, title changed, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Primordial Nucleosynthesis as a test of variable rest masses 5-dimensional cosmology

The deviation of primordial Helium production due to a variation on the difference between the rest masses of the nucleons is presented. It is found an upper bound \delta (M_{_n} - M_{_p}) \alt 0.129 MeV, between the present and nucleosynthesis epochs. This bound is used to analyze Wesson's theory of gravitation; as a result, it is ruled out by observation.Comment: Corrected version with referee's remarks. Unchanged global results. Some references added; to be published in Phys. Lett. A

Time-Symmetrization and Isotropization of Stiff-Fluid Kantowski-Sachs Universes

It is shown that growing-entropy stiff-fluid Kantowski-Sachs universes become time-symmetric (if they start with time-asymmetric phase) and isotropize. Isotropization happens without any inflationary era during the evolution since there is no cosmological term here. It seems that this approach is an alternative to inflation since the universe gets bigger and bigger approaching 'flatness'.Comment: 9 pages, no figure

Expanding Space: the Root of all Evil?

While it remains the staple of virtually all cosmological teaching, the concept of expanding space in explaining the increasing separation of galaxies has recently come under fire as a dangerous idea whose application leads to the development of confusion and the establishment of misconceptions. In this paper, we develop a notion of expanding space that is completely valid as a framework for the description of the evolution of the universe and whose application allows an intuitive understanding of the influence of universal expansion. We also demonstrate how arguments against the concept in general have failed thus far, as they imbue expanding space with physical properties not consistent with the expectations of general relativity.Comment: 8 pages, accepted for publication in PAS

Inverse Square Law of Gravitation in (2+1)-Dimensional Space-Time as a Consequence of Casimir Energy

The gravitational effect of vacuum polarization in space exterior to a particle in (2+1)-dimensional Einstein theory is investigated. In the weak field limit this gravitational field corresponds to an inverse square law of gravitational attraction, even though the gravitational mass of the quantum vacuum is negative. The paradox is resolved by considering a particle of finite extension and taking into account the vacuum polarization in its interior.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, Report: UPR-0540-T, To appear in Physica Script

Accelerating Universe as Window for Extra Dimensions

Homogeneous cosmological solutions are obtained in five dimensional space time assuming equations of state $p = k\rho$ and $p_{5}= \gamma\rho$ where p is the isotropic 3 - pressure and $p_{5}$, that for the fifth dimension. Using different values for the constants k and $\gamma$ many known solutions are rediscovered. Further the current acceleration of the universe has led us to investigate higher dimensional gravity theory, which is able to explain acceleration from a theoretical view point without the need of introducing dark energy by hand. We argue that the terms containing higher dimensional metric coefficients produce an extra negative pressure that apparently drives an acceleration of the 3D space, tempting us to suggest that the accelerating universe seems to act as a window to the existence of extra spatial dimensions. Interestingly the 5D matter field remains regular while the \emph{effective} negative pressure is responsible for the inflation. Relaxing the assumptions of two equations of state we also present a class of solutions which provide early deceleration followed by a late acceleration in a unified manner. Interesting to point out that in this case our cosmology apparently mimics the well known quintessence scenario fuelled by a generalised Chaplygin-type of fluid where a smooth transition from a dust dominated model to a de Sitter like one takes place.Comment: 20 pages,3 figure

Shear-free rotating inflation

We demonstrate the existence of shear-free cosmological models with rotation and expansion which support the inflationary scenarios. The corresponding metrics belong to the family of spatially homogeneous models with the geometry of the closed universe (Bianchi type IX). We show that the global vorticity does not prevent the inflation and even can accelerate it.Comment: Revtex, 12 pages; to appear in Phys. Rev.