The cosmological constant is a term Albert Einstein added to his field equations of general relativity to represent the energy density of empty space, sometimes called vacuum energy. Einstein introduced it in 1917 to permit a static universe, then withdrew his support once the universe was shown to be expanding; the concept was later revived to help explain the observed accelerating expansion attributed to dark energy.
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Wikimedia FoundationCosmological constant, lead section
a coefficient that Albert Einstein initially added to his field equations of general relativity to express the energy density of space, or vacuum energy
- Associated With: Dark Energy
- Associated With: Big Bang Theory
View the Source Cosmological constant (Wikipedia)
Cosmological constant, history section
Einstein introduced the constant in 1917 to counterbalance the effect of gravity and achieve a static universe, which was then assumed.
In Group: Dark Matter and Dark Energy, Lead sentence
In physical cosmology, the cosmological constant (usually denoted by the Greek capital letter lambda: Λ), alternatively called Einstein's cosmological constant, is a coefficient that Albert Einstein initially added to his field equations of general relativity.
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