- Attachment: none
- As far as physics can tell us there are only 4 forces that control the entire Universe. (There may be a 5th if Dark Energy turns out to be a force). These forces are the same everywhere and always throughout time. Two of the forces control the nucleus of every atom, the Strong Nuclear Force and the Weak Nuclear Force.
- The other two forces are gravity and the electromagnetic force. The whole basis for the Theory of Relativity is that the laws of physics are the same everywhere and for every observer regardless of their relative motions. All observers see the speed of light as a constant 630,633,500 miles per hour ( c = 2.99*10^8 meters /second). This is always true regardless of how fast the observers are traveling. In order for this to be true, for velocity to remain constant, then distance and time must change. Velocity is the ratio of distance to time. As velocity increases faster and faster distances shrink and time slows down.
- This same basis for the Theory of Relativity assumes that Gravity is the same everywhere and for all time. The Constant of Gravity is 6.67412*10^-11 meters^3 / (kilogram * second^2) throughout the Universe.
- For this same basis the Constant for the Electromagnetic Force is always constant. Expressed as the Fine Structure Constant.
--------------- Fine Structure Constant = 0.0072973531 ( dimensionless with no units)
--------------- Fine Structure Constant is directly proportional to 3 other Constants. Fine Structure Constant is directly proportional to the electron’s charge squared ( e^2 ) and inversely proportional to Planck”s Constant of Action ( h ) and the speed of light ( c ).
----------------- Fine Structure Constant = e^2 / 2 * h * c * eo
------------------ “eo” is the permittivity of free space that we will discuss a little later.
-------------------- Fine Structure Constant = 1/137 to a close approximation.
- The Fine Structure Constant number measures the strength of the electromagnetic interaction. This equivalent number for the Strong Nuclear Force is 1.0000. This equivalent number of the Weak Nuclear Force is 0.0000000000001. Or, (10^-13). This equivalent number for the strength of Gravity is 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000001 . Or, (10^-38).
- You can see that the strength of Gravity is much, much weaker than the other forces.
- The Fine Structure Constant is a dimensionless number, 1/137. Therefore it is the same number regardless of what measurement system units are being used. An alien civilization on another planet would come up with the same number for the strength the electromagnetic force in an atom. The ratio of the mass of the electron to the mass of the proton is also a dimensionless constant number, 1 / 1840. Physics has no idea how or why these numbers are what they are. They are just nature’s constants and that’s that. (as far as we know).
- The Fine Structure Constant is called the Coupling Constant of Electromagnetism. The Coupling interaction between a proton and an electron inside the atom is a constant ratio between the velocity of the electron in the first circular orbit to the speed of light in a vacuum.
----------------- Fine Structure Constant = e^2 / 2 * h * c * eo
- It is the ratio of the maximum angular momentum allowed by Relativity for an electron in orbit to the minimum angular momentum allowed by Quantum Mechanics. The Fine Structure Constant is directly proportional to the electron’s charge squared ( e^2) and inversely proportional to the product of Planck’s Constant of Action (h) and the speed of light “c”. Any proportionality can be changed into an equality by using the correct Constant of Proportionality. In this case it is “eo” , the electric current permittivity of free space. It could just as well be the magnetic permeability of free space since there is no current flowing in free space to be measured and the product of permeability and permittivity = 1 / c^2.
------------------------ mo * eo = 1 / c^2
- When Maxwell saw this fall out of his equations he first realized that light was an electromagnetic wave.
- The next step is to calculate this and see if we get a dimensionless 1/137 out of this equation. You can skip to the last paragraph if you are allergic to math.
- Electric charge = e = 1.6 * 10^-19 Coulombs
- A Coulomb = an ampere * second
- Planck’s Constant of Action = 6.6 * 10^-34 kilograms * meters^2 / second
- Action in physics is = the product of Energy and Time
- The Speed of Light = c = 2.99 * 10^8 meters / second
- Permittivity of Free Space = eo = 8.85 * 10^-12 Coulombs^2 / Newton * meters^2
- Newton is the unit of Force = kilogram * meter / second^2
- Putting all this back into the equation for Fine Structure Constant
-------------- Fine Structure Constant = ( 1.6 * 10^-19 Coulombs)^2 / 2 * (6.6 * 10^-34 kilograms * meters^2 / second) * (2.99 * 10^8 meters / second) * (8.85 * 10^-12 Coulombs^2 / (kilogram * meter / second^2) * meters^2
---------------- Fine Structure Constant = 2.56 * 10^-38 / 351 * 10^-38
---------------- Fine Structure Constant = 0.007
---------------- Fine Structure Constant = 1/ 137
- OK, we got the dimensionless number that is the Constant 1/137 because all those units cancelled out. Now the big debate begins. Are all the Natural Constants really constant ( See Review # 938 “ The Universal Constants”). ? Or, do natural constants change with time and distance (space)? Is the Fine Structure Constant the same everywhere in the Universe and throughout all time?
- In 1998 there became the first evidence studying the distant Quasars that the Fine Structure Constant may not be constant. The light from the distant Quasar passed through hydrogen gas and the absorption lines in the spectrum revealed the value of the Fine Structure Constant was different in the distant past. It was measured as somewhat smaller than it is measured today. No one believed it in 1998.
- Now, in 2011, after studying 153 Quasars, astronomers found 1 part in 100,000 that the Fine Structure Constant was larger 10 billion years ago. This was seen looking in the southern sky. When telescopes were turned to the northern sky the Quasars there showed the Fine Structure Constant to be 1 part in 100,000 smaller 10 billion years ago. The Fine Structure Constant was different depending on what direction you looked. What goes?
- Does this mean that the Universe is not homogeneous and isotropic? Is Dark Matter and Dark Energy different in different parts of the Universe? Does the Universe have neighborhoods that are fundamentally different from each other ? Do we really live in a special place in the Universe?
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(1) 1 / Fine Structure Constant = 137.03599908451
-------- Fine Structure Constant = 0.0072973531
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707-536-3272, Saturday, November 19, 2011
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