Could The Physical Constants Change? Possibly, But Probably Not

The world we see around us seems to be rooted in scientific laws. Theories and equations that are absolute and universal. Central to these are fundamental physical constants. The speed of light, the mass of a proton, the constant of gravitational attraction. But are these constants really constant? What would happen to our theories if they changed?

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It seems to me to be highly unlikely that these constants remain constant throughout the Universe, even if they do in the little bit of it that we can see (which is by no means certain).

The Rev Dodgson said:

It seems to me to be highly unlikely that these constants remain constant throughout the Universe, even if they do in the little bit of it that we can see (which is by no means certain).

As in now or the distant past

Cymek said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

It seems to me to be highly unlikely that these constants remain constant throughout the Universe, even if they do in the little bit of it that we can see (which is by no means certain).

As in now or the distant past

I saw an interview with Hawking. He said that if the physical constants altered, life as we know it would not exist.

by definition, physical constants don’t change,and the question above is 800% BS

SCIENCE said:

by definition, physical constants don’t change,and the question above is 800% BS

Bit pedantic that.

Just re-word it so it does make sense.

For instance:

Is it possible that the things known by scientists as “physical constants” are misnamed?

> Could The Physical Constants Change? Possibly, But Probably Not

Yep. I’ve been saying that for a long time. Not in the observable universe.

In the multiverse, however, that’s a whole different kettle of fish.

> This latest study looked at what is known as the fine structure constant, alpha.

This again. That was checked with the Oklo natural nuclear reactor, as well as much further back.

> The team looked at light from a quasar known as J1120+0641. The light left the quasar when the universe was only 800 million years old, and it passed through several interstellar gas clouds before reaching us. They measured the line spectra of the light as it passed through four regions at different distances, and found no evidence of a change in alpha.

Good, then that’s settled ;-)

The Rev Dodgson said:

SCIENCE said:

by definition, physical constants don’t change,and the question above is 800% BS

Bit pedantic that.

Just re-word it so it does make sense.

For instance:

Is it possible that the things known by scientists as “physical constants” are misnamed?

it’s nearly infinitely certain

ALL SCIENCE, IS WRONG, AND SO FORTH