Could a Curved Boundary of Space-Time Explain Dark Energy?

[id10tothe9]

Assume the fabric of space-time is a volume with a boundary. (this seems to be a possibility).

The same way that gravity can be modeled as curvature in space-time around an object, the derivative of which creates a force over other objects close by and pulls them closer, the assumption that space-time is a volume with a boundary means that the fabric of space-time might also have a curvature caused by the boundary. This curvature would be stronger the closer we get to the boundary, and it would have the same effect of gravity on the objects inside. It would cause a pulling force towards the boundary which we observe as the acceleration of expansion of the material universe. Could this effect explain the dark energy?

Like in a cup of coffee, the foam formed on the surface tends to move and accelerates towards the boundary of the surface because of the force on it caused by the tension at the surface boundary.

 

[phinds]

This perforce assumes a spherical topology with us at the center in order to maintain istotropy. Do you REALLY think we're at the center of the universe?

 

[id10tothe9]

didn't think of that :D thanks.
Does this mean the isotropy provides a proof that no such boundary exists (unless effect too small to detect)?

 

[phinds]

didn't think of that :D thanks.
Does this mean the isotropy provides a proof that no such boundary exists (unless effect too small to detect)?

No, the universe could be infinite, finite but unbounded, or I suppose theoretically it COULD be just finite and bounded but that is VERY unlikely and leads to all kinds of problems and your scenario still wouldn't work unless we were at the center which is just silly).

There's a terrific FAQ at the top of the cosmology sub-forum that has all kinds of information that you would likely find interesting and I suggest you read it.

 

[id10tothe9]

thanks :)