Paper 2, Section I, C

Cosmology
Part II, 2017

In a homogeneous and isotropic universe (Λ=0)(\Lambda=0), the acceleration equation for the scale factor a(t)a(t) is given by

a¨a=4πG3(ρ+3P/c2),\frac{\ddot{a}}{a}=-\frac{4 \pi G}{3}\left(\rho+3 P / c^{2}\right),

where ρ(t)\rho(t) is the mass density and P(t)P(t) is the pressure.

If the matter content of the universe obeys the strong energy condition ρ+3P/c20\rho+3 P / c^{2} \geqslant 0, show that the acceleration equation can be rewritten as H˙+H20\dot{H}+H^{2} \leqslant 0, with Hubble parameter H(t)=a˙/aH(t)=\dot{a} / a. Show that

H1H01+tt0H \geqslant \frac{1}{H_{0}^{-1}+t-t_{0}}

where H0=H(t0)H_{0}=H\left(t_{0}\right) is the measured value today at t=t0t=t_{0}. Hence, or otherwise, show that

a(t)1+H0(tt0)a(t) \leqslant 1+H_{0}\left(t-t_{0}\right)

Use this inequality to find an upper bound on the age of the universe.