“Nothing” doesn’t exist. Instead, there is “quantum foam”

BevelGear@beehaw.org to Science@beehaw.org – 105 points –
"Nothing" doesn't exist. Instead, there is "quantum foam"
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So I wonder, even if it's only appearing very briefly it's still going to exert some small gravitational effect. And who is to say the density of quantum foam is perfectly evenly distributed through the universe, within, through and between galaxies? Could this be an alternative explanation to dark matter?

So I wonder, even if it’s only appearing very briefly it’s still going to exert some small gravitational effect.

I don't think so. Remember: This is energy being converted to mass, not mass coming out of nowhere.

Ah right. So, an alternative to dark energy and dark mass?

No no that's a completely different phenomenon. This is the phenomenon involved in Hawking's radiation and similar.

Correct me if I am wrong, but as I understand it mass and energy is equivalent no? And it also still baffles us as to why rest mass and resultant mass from energy should be equivalent at all?

Correct me if I am wrong, but as I understand it mass and energy is equivalent no?

Yes.

And it also still baffles us as to why rest mass and resultant mass from energy should be equivalent at all?

I don't know about this one. I'm not an expert so don't quote he on it, but I don't remember hearing this before.

Would be nice if we could measure quantum-foam activity depending on gravity well intensity. Let's say somewhere around Venus and Pluto to compare (sun's well).