A Theory of Fluid Spacetime
A potential explanation for dark energy, dark matter, and the energy-matter relationship
Setting the stage
Let us start with spacetime as described by Einstein in Relativity, as my theory only diverges from it in the form of new assumptions. I aim to modify our idea of the universe, not outright replace the groundwork that matches our observations. No, rather this idea was born out of a simple solution for two unexplained phenomena at the same time: the accelerating expansion of the universe described with dark energy and the unexplained strength of gravity holding galaxies together as described by dark matter.
I believe we can eliminate the need for a new energy source and extra matter with one new mechanic. In my theory, I assume spacetime fabric is a fluid that can stretch, warp, and also translate from side to side. This can explain the universal acceleration if new spacetime is produced between galaxies like lava is produced between continents on Earth. Additionally, it can explain weirdly strong gravity around galaxies with supermassive black holes at their center if spacetime can flow into supermassive blackholes like water down a high-dimensional drain.
This is a simple explanation that raises new questions and has strange implications for the universe at every scale.
My biggest concern for this explanation is simply, “where does the new spacetime come from and where does it go when it enters a black hole?”
The overall fluid spacetime theory does not have an answer to this, but I have a few offshoot ideas that feel very strange:
Spacetime falls into and out of a higher dimensional plane that somehow recycles it back into our 3D fold of existence
It flows from one universal fold to another
It immediately flows from a blackhole to a “spacetime font” (I will use this as a real technical term from hereon out)
The border between
I’m not sure if this next idea is an implication or a separate theory compatible with fluid spacetime, but I want to share it here as well. If spacetime is a fluid, then it stands to reason that it follows the Navier–Stokes equations.
I have the mechanics-oriented brain of an engineer, so I’ve been toying with what this fluid can do and what it means to have absence of spacetime and how one would acheive it. Obviously, this lead me to the mantis shrimp and its ability to cause instant cavitation in water and a sonoluminescent flash.
It would require an awful lot of energy to create such fast movement that a cavity forms in spacetime, right? Even a proton’s worth of spacetime would require immense energy, right? Well, it turns out a proton also has an energy equivalent as described by relativity. Maybe that means matter is a hole in spacetime, and that makes intuitive sense to me. Matter prevents other matter from following the natural path of spacetime by physically blocking eachother. It would also provide a reason why matter and energy can be converted at all.
Essentially, under this framework, matter is a cavitation caused by a standing wave in spacetime, fueled by a dense packet of energy. The beauty of this model appears when you consider light as the border between matter and spacetime. Light is a dense packet of energy that is not energetic enough to cavitate spacetime, but it is the exact border between. Light sets the asymptotic speed limit for matter, but also exactly follows it. Within this model, spacetime does not have a speed limit in the sense that we know for matter. Spacetime flow might follow a similar law on a more fundamental substrate, but I do not claim further insights on the topic.
Flattening matter and spacetime eddies
Fluid spacetime offers a collection of answers to what happens when matter enters enters a black hole. Just off the top of my head:
Matter is collapsed back into spacetime and energy is absorbed into the standing wave of the black hole
Matter is collapsed and spacetime is spread out to spacetime fonts
Another somewhat related thought is on the possibility of eddies in highly warped spacetime, like the spacetime around black holes.
In theory, if an eddy is produced that changes the local orientation of time, you could experience time backwards, or even sideways, opening a new prospect for time travel.
P. S.
If you’re a physicist reading this, you’re legally required to talk to me about it.
Sorry, I don’t make the rules, just letting you know.