An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An equation that expresses energy conservation in an → expanding Universe. It is formally derived from → Einstein’s field equations of → general relativity by requiring the Universe to be everywhere → homogeneous and → isotropic. It is expressed by

H²(t) = (8πG)/(3c²)ε(t) - (kc²)/R²(t), where H(t) is the → Hubble parameter, G is the → gravitational constant, c is the → speed of light, ε(t) is the → energy density, k is the → curvature of space-time, and R(t) is the → cosmic scale factor. See also → Big Bang, → accelerating Universe. See also → Friedmann-Lemaitre Universe.

See also: Named after the Russian mathematician and physical scientist Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Friedmann (1888-1925), who was the first to formulate an → expanding Universe based on Einstein’s theory of → general relativity ; → equation.