The paper shows how a generalization of the elasticity theory to four dimensions and to space-time allows for a consistent description of the homogeneous and isotropic universe,including the accelerated expansion.The ...The paper shows how a generalization of the elasticity theory to four dimensions and to space-time allows for a consistent description of the homogeneous and isotropic universe,including the accelerated expansion.The analogy is manifested by the inclusion in the traditional Lagrangian of general relativity of an additional term accounting for the strain induced in the manifold(i.e.in space-time)by the curvature,be it induced by the presence of a texture defect or by a matter/energy distribution.The additional term is su?cient to account for various observed features of the universe and to give a simple interpretation for the so called dark energy.Then,we show how the same approach can be adopted back in three dimensions to obtain the equilibrium configuration of a given solid subject to strain induced by defects or applied forces.Finally,it is shown how concepts coming from the familiar elasticity theory can inspire new approaches to cosmology and in return how methods appropriated to General Relativity can be applied back to classical problems of elastic deformations in three dimensions.展开更多
This issue of Science China Physics, Mechanics ＆ Astronomy celebrates the Centenary of Einstein＇s General Theory of Rela- tivity, which changed the way humanity understood the concepts of space, time and matter. Pri...This issue of Science China Physics, Mechanics ＆ Astronomy celebrates the Centenary of Einstein＇s General Theory of Rela- tivity, which changed the way humanity understood the concepts of space, time and matter. Prior to 1915 Einstein had intro- duced his theory of Special Relativity, and Minkowski had introduced the spacetime metric. General Relativity overthrew the Newtonian idea that space, time and matter were independent, replacing it with the idea that space, time and matter are inex- tricably linked. Within a year of the publication of General Relativity came Schwartzchild＇s exact solution of Einstein＇s field equations which describes the spacetime structure of black holes. In 1916 and 1918 Einstein showed that his theory predicted the existence of gravitational waves. Within 7 years, in 1922, Friedmann published a solution for Einstein＇s field equations applied to a homogeneous universe, uncovering the basic physics of Big Bang cosmology.展开更多
文摘The paper shows how a generalization of the elasticity theory to four dimensions and to space-time allows for a consistent description of the homogeneous and isotropic universe,including the accelerated expansion.The analogy is manifested by the inclusion in the traditional Lagrangian of general relativity of an additional term accounting for the strain induced in the manifold(i.e.in space-time)by the curvature,be it induced by the presence of a texture defect or by a matter/energy distribution.The additional term is su?cient to account for various observed features of the universe and to give a simple interpretation for the so called dark energy.Then,we show how the same approach can be adopted back in three dimensions to obtain the equilibrium configuration of a given solid subject to strain induced by defects or applied forces.Finally,it is shown how concepts coming from the familiar elasticity theory can inspire new approaches to cosmology and in return how methods appropriated to General Relativity can be applied back to classical problems of elastic deformations in three dimensions.
文摘This issue of Science China Physics, Mechanics ＆ Astronomy celebrates the Centenary of Einstein＇s General Theory of Rela- tivity, which changed the way humanity understood the concepts of space, time and matter. Prior to 1915 Einstein had intro- duced his theory of Special Relativity, and Minkowski had introduced the spacetime metric. General Relativity overthrew the Newtonian idea that space, time and matter were independent, replacing it with the idea that space, time and matter are inex- tricably linked. Within a year of the publication of General Relativity came Schwartzchild＇s exact solution of Einstein＇s field equations which describes the spacetime structure of black holes. In 1916 and 1918 Einstein showed that his theory predicted the existence of gravitational waves. Within 7 years, in 1922, Friedmann published a solution for Einstein＇s field equations applied to a homogeneous universe, uncovering the basic physics of Big Bang cosmology.
