The universe is primarily composed of dark energy, dark matter, and ordinary matter.
Dark Energy
- Dark energy is a mysterious force that is thought to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe.
- It accounts for about 68% of the total energy density of the universe.
- While we know it exists, scientists still don't fully understand what it is or how it works.
Dark Matter
- Dark matter is a type of matter that does not interact with light, making it invisible to telescopes.
- It accounts for about 27% of the total energy density of the universe.
- Scientists believe it exists because of its gravitational effects on visible matter.
Ordinary Matter
- Ordinary matter, also known as baryonic matter, is everything we can see and interact with, including stars, planets, galaxies, and us.
- It makes up only about 5% of the total energy density of the universe.
- This matter is composed of atoms, which are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Other Components
- In addition to the three main components, the universe also contains small amounts of other things, such as neutrinos and electromagnetic radiation.
While we have learned a lot about the universe, there is still much we don't know. Scientists continue to study the universe to learn more about its composition and how it works.
