What type of energy is proposed to explain repulsive forces between matter in the universe?

Dark energy is a term used in cosmology to describe a mysterious form of energy that is believed to be responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. Scientists propose that dark energy constitutes about 68% of the universe and acts against the gravitational forces that pull matter together. This repulsive force is a critical factor in understanding the large-scale structure and dynamics of the cosmos.

The concept of dark energy arises from observations of distant supernovae and the cosmic microwave background radiation, which suggest that rather than slowing down, the expansion of the universe is actually speeding up. This phenomenon implies that there is an energy component in the universe exerting a negative pressure, pushing galaxies apart.

In contrast, heat energy refers to the internal energy in substances and usually results in increased molecular motion, while light energy is associated with electromagnetic radiation. Kinetic energy pertains to the energy of moving objects. These forms of energy do not account for the observed repulsive effects in the universe's expansion, which makes dark energy the only viable explanation in this context.