), for example, is about 1/137. Were it another value, matter and energy would interact in bizarre ways; indeed, the very distinction between matter and energy could melt away." data-pin-do="buttonBookmark">
HOW UNIMAGINABLY strange the world would be if the constants of nature had different values. The so-called fine-structure constant (
), for example, is about 1/137. Were it another value, matter and energy would interact in bizarre ways; indeed, the very distinction between matter and energy could melt away.
Image: JEAN-FRANCOIS PODEVIN
More In This Article
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Infographic
Light and the Fine-Structure Constant
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Infographic
Looking for Changes in Quasar Light
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Infographic
Measurements of the Fine-Structure Constant
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Sometimes It Changes, Sometimes Not
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In the Grand Scheme of Things
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Overview
Constants of Physics
Some things never change. Physicists call them the constants of nature. Such quantities as the velocity of light, c, Newton's constant of gravitation, G, and the mass of the electron, me, are assumed to be the same at all places and times in the universe. They form the scaffolding around which the theories of physics are erected, and they define the fabric of our universe. Physics has progressed by making ever more accurate measurements of their values.
And yet, remarkably, no one has ever successfully predicted or explained any of the constants. Physicists have no idea why they take the special numerical values that they do. In SI units, c is 299,792,458; G is 6.673 X 10-11; and me is 9.10938188 X 10-31--numbers that follow no discernible pattern. The only thread running through the values is that if many of them were even slightly different, complex atomic structures such as living beings would not be possible. The desire to explain the constants has been one of the driving forces behind efforts to develop a complete unified description of nature, or "theory of everything." Physicists have hoped that such a theory would show that each of the constants of nature could have only one logically possible value. It would reveal an underlying order to the seeming arbitrariness of nature.
This article was originally published with the title Inconstant Constants.
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2 Comments
Add CommentConstants that change like the fine-structure constant does will change the lesser constants even more so such as Newton's gravity. this will make the big-bang theory fictious and dark matter is alllies appoximations illusions distortions to make a big salary and get grants funds taxpayer dollars.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI doubt Gravity is the absolute God of the universe that made something out of nothing as Hawking asserts. Likely Gravity changes weakens along a direction too like alpha does the electromagnetic force was observed to directionally weaken over time by studying the quasar beacons. Light speed is slower through water, so why believe in an absolute c ? There's even a ridiculous accepted equation for dark energy using constants. Hopefully when the fine-structure constant is proven to vary, theories on invisible dark matter, dark energy, and gravity waves involving a 14.6 billion year birth for the universe can be replaced ! Already there are superclusters like the coma cluster that took longer then the age of the universe to form, as are ancient evolved galaxies, and 18 billion year old spectroscopically proven stars older then the big-bang.
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