Deceleration Parameter

The deceleration parameter, q₀, indicates the rate at which the expansion of Universe is slowing due to self-gravitation. It is defined by:

$q_0= -\frac{\ddot{R}}{R}\cdot(\frac{\dot{R}}{R})$

where R is the scale factor, R(t), of the Universe by which all lengths scale, $\dot{R}$ is the first time derivative (rate of change) of R, and $\ddot{R}$ is the second time derivative of R. In this notation $\frac{\dot{R}}{R}$ is equivalent to the Hubble parameter, H, and its present value is H₀, the Hubble constant.
Recent observations have suggested that the rate of expansion of the Universe is currently accelerating, perhaps due to the effects of dark energy. This yields negative values for the deceleration parameter.

A	B	C	D	E
F	G	H	I	J
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Z	All