Which type of energy is proposed to account for the increasing rate of expansion of the Universe?

The correct answer is dark energy, which is a form of energy theorized to permeate all of space and accelerate the expansion of the Universe. Observations of distant supernovae and the cosmic microwave background radiation have indicated that the Universe's expansion is not only continuing but is also accelerating over time. Dark energy is thought to make up a significant portion of the Universe, approximately 68%, and its effects are most prominent on cosmological scales.

Dark energy acts as a sort of anti-gravity, pushing galaxies apart and counteracting the attractive force of gravity that tries to pull matter together. This mysterious force has led to the understanding that the rate of expansion of the Universe is not slowing down, as was initially expected, but instead is increasing. Thus, dark energy provides the best explanation for this observed acceleration in the expansion of the Universe, making it a key concept in modern cosmology.

Potential energy, kinetic energy, and gravitational energy do not account for this observed phenomenon. Potential energy typically relates to the position of objects within a gravitational field, kinetic energy relates to moving objects, and gravitational energy describes the potential energy associated with gravitational forces between masses. However, none of these concepts can adequately explain the acceleration of the Universe itself, which is exclusively