(a) Consider a closed universe endowed with cosmological constant Λ>0 and filled with radiation with pressure P and energy density ρ. Using the equation of state P=31ρ and the continuity equation
ρ˙+a3a˙(ρ+P)=0,
determine how ρ depends on a. Give the physical interpretation of the scaling of ρ with
(b) For such a universe the Friedmann equation reads
(aa˙)2=3c28πGρ−R2a2c2+3Λ
What is the physical meaning of R?
(c) Making the substitution a(t)=αa~(t), determine α and Γ>0 such that the Friedmann equation takes the form
(a~a~˙)2=a~4Γ−a~21+3Λ.
Using the substitution y(t)=a~(t)2 and the boundary condition y(0)=0, deduce the boundary condition for y˙(0).
Show that
y¨=34Λy−2
and hence that
a~2(t)=2Λ3[1−cosh(34Λt)+λsinh(34Λt)]
Express the constant λ in terms of Λ and Γ.
Sketch the graphs of a~(t) for the cases λ>1,λ<1 and λ=1.