%0 Journal Article
%T A Resolution to the Cosmological Constant Problem: Reconsidering the Gravitational Role of Vacuum Energy
%A Rudi Van Nieuwenhove
%J Journal of High Energy Physics, Gravitation and Cosmology
%P 795-801
%@ 2380-4335
%D 2025
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/jhepgc.2025.113050
%X The persistent discrepancy between quantum field theoretical predictions of vacuum energy density and the observed value of the cosmological constant suggests a fundamental issue in our understanding of their gravitational effects. We argue that General Relativity developed without quantum mechanical input, is not suited to accommodate zero-point energy as a source term in the Einstein field equations. Instead, we propose that the cosmological constant arises from large-scale curvature effects rather than an intrinsic vacuum energy density. This approach naturally resolves the cosmological constant problem without requiring fine-tuning or exotic physics. Furthermore, we outline how this perspective aligns with the idea that only energy contributions with physical boundaries (e.g., mass-affected zero-point fluctuations) gravitate, while uniform vacuum fluctuations do not.
%K Cosmological Constant Problem
%K Dark Energy
%K Expansion
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=143835