Physics question

[Addis]

Some physicists say that the total energy in the universe is 0; because all mass has positive energy, but the gravitational force is negative energy and so counter-acts the positive energy meaning the overall energy in the universe is 0.

What happens if for example in antimatter matter anhilation where matter is destoyed to produce energy, the positive energy is still there but the gravitional force is gone. So there is no negative energy to counteract it and it seems to be that overall positive energy has increased?

I'm not disproving it just want to know the explanation.

 

[alienal99]

i will start by shooting down the first premise.....gravitational forces cannot be looked at as negative energy. A ball in the air has zero movement, and therefore zero energy (potential energy does not count), assuming it is not moving. Now add gravity. We now have a moving ball which has energy, not just potential energy. I will also say that your second point about antimatter also has a serious flaw. Overall energy CANNOT increase. It has to come from some other source.....interesting theory though:>

 

[f95toli]

Potential energy DOES count which is why the total energy of the universe is zero.
The "ball in the air" is a good example. When you drop a ball you are converting potential energy to kinetic energy.

About the matter-antimatter annhilation. Look here

 

[the splat in the hat]

um humans still cant ACCURATELY measure the universe so any conclusion is just here say.

 

[f95toli]

What exactly is it you want to measure?
If we agree that the total energy of the universe, lets call it W, is conserved and that
W->0 as t->0 (t being time after big bang) then W=0 today as well.
This is a simplified argument but I think it captures the essential argument.