The FineStructure Contant and the Nature ofthe Universe

ShadowSot · 14th December 2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

The fine-structure constant and the nature of the universe

RICHARD FEYNMAN, Nobel laureate and physicist extraordinaire, called it a “magic number” and its value “one of the greatest damn mysteries of physics”. The number he was referring to, which goes by the symbol alpha and the rather more long-winded name of the fine-structure constant, is magic indeed. If it were a mere 4% bigger or smaller than it is, stars would not be able to sustain the nuclear reactions that synthesise carbon and oxygen. One consequence would be that squishy, carbon-based life would not exist.

Stumbled across this, and I get that the alpha has been found to vary.

I'm not sure I understand the underlying physics or full ramifications of this, I've only just started reading Mr. Feynman's 6 Easy pieces.

KingMerv00 · 14th December 2010, 03:54 PM

Let's head this off at the pass: Feynman was an atheist.

Tim Thompson · 14th December 2010, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by ShadowSot

Stumbled across this, and I get that the alpha has been found to vary.

The idea that any of the fundamental "constants" might actually be variable with time is as old as the idea of fundamental constants (Olive, 2009, Varshalovich & Potekhin, 1995). The possibility that the fine structure constant actually varies with time dates back at least to Bahcall & Schmidt, 1967. But the first instance I am aware of, where astronomical data are used as a basis to claim observational support for a time variable fine structure constant is Webb, et al., 1999 (and references thereto). But you can follow the 380 references to this paper and see that this interpretation of the data is controversial. However, laboratory experiments, which clearly sample a much smaller period of time, show no sign of time variability of the fine structure constant (e.g., Prestage, Tjoelker & Maleki, 1995; Cingoz, et al., 2007 and citations thereto).

The fine structure constant is a mix of other fundamental constants. Amongst them only the speed of light can arguably be time variable while still retaining a universe like the one we have (see for instance João Magueijo's work on variable speed of light cosmology (VSL); e.g., Albrecht & Magueijo, 1999 and citations thereto). So usually a variable fine structure cosmology is really just a VSL cosmology in some other guise.

The basic motivation of VSL cosmology is to provide an alternative to inflation. So one might argue that observational confirmation of a cosmologically variable fine structure constant provides an observational alternative to inflation in cosmology.

Dancing David · 15th December 2010, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by ShadowSot

Stumbled across this, and I get that the alpha has been found to vary.

I'm not sure I understand the underlying physics or full ramifications of this, I've only just started reading Mr. Feynman's 6 Easy pieces.

That is from a survey that has yet to be replicated and has some other issues. I will look for the link.

ETA: Maybe this one?
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=184428

14th December 2010, 11:49 AM	#1
ShadowSot Muse Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pensacola Posts: 769	The FineStructure Contant and the Nature ofthe Universe Quote: The fine-structure constant and the nature of the universe RICHARD FEYNMAN, Nobel laureate and physicist extraordinaire, called it a “magic number” and its value “one of the greatest damn mysteries of physics”. The number he was referring to, which goes by the symbol alpha and the rather more long-winded name of the fine-structure constant, is magic indeed. If it were a mere 4% bigger or smaller than it is, stars would not be able to sustain the nuclear reactions that synthesise carbon and oxygen. One consequence would be that squishy, carbon-based life would not exist. Stumbled across this, and I get that the alpha has been found to vary. I'm not sure I understand the underlying physics or full ramifications of this, I've only just started reading Mr. Feynman's 6 Easy pieces.
	__________________ I love this crazy tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful beautiful life. - Darryl Worley The Stupid! It burns!

14th December 2010, 03:54 PM	#2
KingMerv00 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA...USA Posts: 14,482	Let's head this off at the pass: Feynman was an atheist.
	__________________ If man came from dust, why is there still dust?

14th December 2010, 07:00 PM	#3
Tim Thompson Muse Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Gabriel Valley, east of Los Angeles Posts: 963	The Fine Structure Constant Originally Posted by ShadowSot Stumbled across this, and I get that the alpha has been found to vary. The idea that any of the fundamental "constants" might actually be variable with time is as old as the idea of fundamental constants (Olive, 2009, Varshalovich & Potekhin, 1995). The possibility that the fine structure constant actually varies with time dates back at least to Bahcall & Schmidt, 1967. But the first instance I am aware of, where astronomical data are used as a basis to claim observational support for a time variable fine structure constant is Webb, et al., 1999 (and references thereto). But you can follow the 380 references to this paper and see that this interpretation of the data is controversial. However, laboratory experiments, which clearly sample a much smaller period of time, show no sign of time variability of the fine structure constant (e.g., Prestage, Tjoelker & Maleki, 1995; Cingoz, et al., 2007 and citations thereto). The fine structure constant is a mix of other fundamental constants. Amongst them only the speed of light can arguably be time variable while still retaining a universe like the one we have (see for instance João Magueijo's work on variable speed of light cosmology (VSL); e.g., Albrecht & Magueijo, 1999 and citations thereto). So usually a variable fine structure cosmology is really just a VSL cosmology in some other guise. The basic motivation of VSL cosmology is to provide an alternative to inflation. So one might argue that observational confirmation of a cosmologically variable fine structure constant provides an observational alternative to inflation in cosmology.
	__________________ The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it. -- Bertrand Russell

15th December 2010, 04:33 AM	#4
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 34,708	Originally Posted by ShadowSot Stumbled across this, and I get that the alpha has been found to vary. I'm not sure I understand the underlying physics or full ramifications of this, I've only just started reading Mr. Feynman's 6 Easy pieces. That is from a survey that has yet to be replicated and has some other issues. I will look for the link. ETA: Maybe this one? http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=184428
	__________________ Hell, dynamiting fish in a barrel is more challenging. - Ladewig I suspect you are a sandwich, metaphorically speaking. -Donn And a shot rang out. Now Space is doing time... -Ben Burch You built the toilet - don't complain when people crap in it. _Kid Eager Last edited by Dancing David; 15th December 2010 at 04:34 AM.