How fundamental are fundamental constants?
File(s)1412.2040v2.pdf (723.54 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Duff, MJ
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
I argue that the laws of physics should be independent of one’s choice of units or measuring apparatus. This is the case if they are framed in terms of dimensionless numbers such as the fine structure constant, α. For example, the standard model of particle physics has 19 such dimensionless parameters whose values all observers can agree on, irrespective of what clock, rulers or scales… they use to measure them. Dimensional constants, on the other hand, such as ħ, c, G, e and k …, are merely human constructs whose number and values differ from one choice of units to the next. In this sense, only dimensionless constants are ‘fundamental’. Similarly, the possible time variation of dimensionless fundamental ‘constants’ of nature is operationally well defined and a legitimate subject of physical enquiry. By contrast, the time variation of dimensional constants such as c or G on which a good many (in my opinion, confusing) papers have been written, is a unit-dependent phenomenon on which different observers might disagree depending on their apparatus. All these confusions disappear if one asks only unit-independent questions. We provide a selection of opposing opinions in the literature and respond accordingly.
Date Issued
2015-01-02
Date Acceptance
2014-10-20
Citation
Contemporary Physics, 2015, 56 (1), pp.35-47
ISSN
0010-7514
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Start Page
35
End Page
47
Journal / Book Title
Contemporary Physics
Volume
56
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2014 Taylor & Francis. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Contemporary Physics on 2 Dec 2014, available online: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00107514.2014.980093
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000350972600004&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
ST/G000743/1
ST/L00044X/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
units
dimensionless
constants
VARYING CONSTANTS
MACHS PRINCIPLE
COSMOLOGY
SPEED
LIGHT
GRAVITATION
UNITS
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2014-12-02