A mysterious form of energy that permeates all of space and is responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe. It comprises approximately 68% of the total energy density of the universe but its nature remains unknown.
The term was coined in the late 1990s following the discovery that the universe's expansion is accelerating. 'Dark' indicates it doesn't interact electromagnetically, while 'energy' reflects its role in driving cosmic dynamics through negative pressure.
Dark energy is the ultimate cosmic mystery - it's literally tearing the universe apart by making space itself expand faster and faster! In the far future, it will stretch space so much that even atoms might be ripped apart in the 'Big Rip.'
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