The explanation of the cosmological constant problem from "summary" of The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene
The cosmological constant problem revolves around the mysterious energy that seemingly permeates empty space. This energy is associated with what physicists call the cosmological constant, a term introduced by Albert Einstein when he formulated his general theory of relativity. According to Einstein, the cosmological constant acts as a repulsive force that counteracts the attractive force of gravity, thereby keeping the universe static and in equilibrium. However, when it was discovered that the universe is actually expanding, the cosmological constant was deemed unnecessary and was abandoned. But recent observations of the universe's accelerated expansion have brought the cosmological constant back into the spotlight. The problem lies in the fact that the calculated value of the cosmological constant based on quantum field theory is incredibly large, much larger than what is observed in the universe. This disparity between theory and observation perplexes physici...
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