This quantity is a simple linear function in the Milne universe. This quantity depends on one minus the cosine of conformal time, which is the functional form of the y-component of a cycloid, in a closed, matter-dominated universe. In a multi-component universe, powers of this quantity are the weights for the harmonic mean of each component’s density parameter that gives the total density parameter. This quantity squared multiplies the spatial components of the FLRW line element. This quantity is obtained as a function of the age of the universe by solving the Friedmann equations. This quantity, and its first and second time derivatives, are used to calculate the deceleration parameter. This quantity’s time derivative, divided by this quantity, equals the Hubble parameter. For 10 points, name this dimensionless cosmological quantity often denoted lowercase “a.” ■END■
ANSWER: scale factor [prompt on a or R until “a” is read] (The scale factor multiplies the spatial components of the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker metric.)
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