Why could out universe be in a state of false vacuum? And what would true vacuum be like?
In: Physics
So, that particular term “vacuum”, in “false vacuum”, means something totally different than a person would assume, out of context.
We might even say that the term “false quantum vacuum state” might even be less confusing, since it at least alerts us that there’s a special definition, and reminds us that it comes from a branch of physics that deals with fundamental quantum fields.
“Vacuum” can be defined as space with as little energy as possible. The lowest possible.
In the physics of Quantum Field Theory (QFT), the nature of “empty” space is not empty at all in our naive way of imagining it. In fact, space is characterized by fully-space-occupying fundamental *fields* for all matter and fundamental forces. Irreducibly so.
A [potentially possible “more stable” vacuum state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_vacuum#Existential_threat) may in fact mean no provision for any fields of matter or forces, so we wouldn’t be there to contemplate it.
Latest Answers