In relativistic classical field theories of gravitation, particularly general relativity, an energy condition is one of various alternative conditions which can be applied to the matter content of the theory, when it is either not possible or desirable to specify this content explicitly. The hope is then that any reasonable matter theory will satisfy this condition or at least will preserve the condition if it is satisfied by the starting conditions.
In general relativity, energy conditions are often used (and required) in proofs of various important theorems about black holes, such as the no hair theorem or the laws of black hole thermodynamics.
Read more about Energy Condition: Motivation, Some Observable Quantities, Perfect Fluids, Attempts At Falsifying The Strong Energy Condition
Famous quotes containing the words energy and/or condition:
“Viewed narrowly, all life is universal hunger and an expression of energy associated with it.”
—Mary Ritter Beard (1876–1958)
“The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers.”
—Erich Fromm (1900–1980)