Dark Matter and Energy

By: Taylor Kaine

What is Dark Matter?

Dark matter is a hypothesized form of matter

particle that does not emit electromagnetic

radiation.

The existence of dark matter is inferred from gravitational effects on visible matter, such as stars and galaxies.

What is Dark Energy?It is a hypothetical form of energy that spreads throughout space and applies negative pressure on visible matter.

Its energy is not directly observed, but rather from observations of

gravitational interactions between objects in space.

Facts, Facts & More Facts

Dark Energy• Takes up roughly 75% of the Universe • It is causing the universe to expandDark Matter• Takes up 20% of the Universe• They have the potential to be made out of WIMPS –

Weakly Interacting Massive Particles• Holds clusters of galaxies together• The mass is five or six times greater than ordinary light • They detect dark matter using the X-rays or gamma-

rays that come from the decay of particles

What About “Normal &Visible” Matter?

Surprisingly, visible matter only takes up about 5% of the space and some say it shouldn’t even be called “normal” matter since it’s such a small

fraction of our Universe.

Are Dark Energy and Matter the Same Thing?

Some scientists believe that dark energy and matter are so closely intertwined that it’s not possible for them to be two separate materials. Because these concepts are still hypothesized, nobody can be quite sure. Despite that, there are some similarities: •They are both dark, meaning that it is not in the form of stars and planets that the human eye can see.• They dominate almost 95% of the Universe’s mass and energy.

Works Cited"Is Dark Matter & Dark Energy the Same Thing?." The Daily Galaxy: Great Discoveries

Channel : Science News, Tech News, Astronomy and Space Exploration . N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2010. <http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2009/02/could-dark-matt.html>.

Jones, Andrew Zimmerman. "Dark Energy - definition of dark energy." Physics. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2010. <http://physics.about.com/od/glossary

Jones, Andrew Zimmerman. "Dark Matter - definition of dark matter." Physics. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2010. <http://physics.about.com/od/glossary

percent., about 10. "Dark matter." UC Berkeley Astronomy Department Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2010. <http://astro.berkeley.edu/~mwhite

the, studying. "Dark Matter - Introduction." Imagine The Universe! Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2010. <http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs

they, we know how long ago. "Dark Energy - Introduction." Imagine The Universe! Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2010. <http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/