Phantom energy is a hypothetical form of dark energy with equation of state . If it exists, it could cause the expansion of the universe to accelerate so quickly that the Big Rip would occur. If this is true, the expansion of the universe reaches an infinite degree in finite time, causing expansion to accelerate without bounds. This acceleration will pass the speed of light (since it involves expansion of the universe itself, not particles moving within it), causing the observable universe to shrink. As the observable universe contracts objects will be unable to interact with each other via fundamental forces, and eventually the expansion will prevent any action of forces between any particles, even within atoms, "ripping apart" the universe. This will happen to all of the universe in an event known as the Big Rip.
One application of phantom energy in 2007 was to a cyclic model of the universe.
Famous quotes containing the words phantom and/or energy:
“Art has a double face, of expression and illusion, just like science has a double face: the reality of error and the phantom of truth.”
—René Daumal (1908–1944)
“I say, stamping the words with emphasis,
Drink from here energy and only energy,”
—Stephen Spender (1909–1995)