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arXiv · 1708.03406

A possible analogy between the dynamics of a skydiver and a scalar field: cosmological consequences

F. E. M. Costa
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Abstract

The cosmological consequences of a slow rolling scalar field with constant kinetic term in analogy to the vertical movement of a skydiver after reaching terminal velocity are investigated. It is shown that the terminal scalar field hypothesis is quite realistic. In this approach, the scalar field potential is given by a quadratic function of the field. This model provides solutions in which the Universe was dominated in the past by a mixture of baryons and dark matter, is currently accelerating (as indicated by type Ia supernovae data), but will be followed by a contraction phase. The theoretical predictions of this model are consistent with current observations, therefore, a terminal scalar field is a viable candidate to dark energy.

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F. E. M. Costa. 2017-08-10. A possible analogy between the dynamics of a skydiver and a scalar field: cosmological consequences. https://doi.org/10.1142/s0218271817300269

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