Search FQXi


If you have an idea for a blog post or a new forum thread, then please contact us at forums@fqxi.org, with a summary of the topic and its source (e.g., an academic paper, conference talk, external blog post or news item).
Forum Home
Introduction
Terms of Use

Order posts by:
 chronological order
 most recent first

Posts by the author are highlighted in orange; posts by FQXi Members are highlighted in blue.

By using the FQXi Forum, you acknowledge reading and agree to abide by the Terms of Use

 RSS feed | RSS help
FQXi FORUM
May 23, 2013

ARTICLE: Chasing Constant Change [back to article]
Bookmark and Share

Reason McLucus wrote on Jun. 3, 2007 @ 07:13 GMT
Physicists can be so naive. The constants in physics equations are not necessarily "constant" They may represent unknown factors which do not appear to change, at least not in the short run. Constants are placed in equations because the known factors by themselves cannot produce an answer when specific values are placed in the equation. Placing the "constant" in the equation allows physicists to get an answer.

In the case of electromagnetic radiation over long distances, constants might not be the only factor which could be associated with differences in data. Conditions in space may change radiation between the time it leaves a distant galaxy and the time it reaches earth.

The values of many physical constants were determined with equipment that was not as sensitive as the equipment in use today. New equipment may produce different values or detect differences in potential factors that could not be determined even a few decades ago. Today's equipment may allow identification of factors that could not be identified before.

report post as inappropriate

reply to this thread


paul valletta wrote on Sep. 3, 2007 @ 01:23 GMT
The Constants of Nature are "fixed" into physical Laws within the Universe. The fixing paramiter is of course Time, we place a value on testable quantities "now", in the present time.

In GR and within QM, both allow the Constants of Nature to be fixed, but both QM and GR allow the "effects" of the constants to be varied!

In QM, there is the Law of observation, in GR there is also the Law of observation, both theories are WRT position and momenum, encased within a reference frame of Time, present-time.

The constants of Nature are Observationally varied by the Observers who are detecting them.

report post as inappropriate

reply to this thread


paul valletta wrote on Sep. 3, 2007 @ 01:26 GMT
Sorry, this is missing from the above post:The constants of Nature are Observationally varied by the Observers who are detecting them, at a certain instant in Time.



report post as inappropriate

reply to this thread


Add a New Post
  • Please enter the text of your post, then click the "Submit New Post" button below. You may also optionally add file attachments below before submitting your edits.

  • HTML tags are not permitted in posts, and will automatically be stripped out. Links to other web sites are permitted. For instructions on how to add links, please read the link help page.

  • You may use superscript (10100) and subscript (A2) using [sup]...[/sup] and [sub]...[/sub] tags.

  • You may also include LateX equations into your post.

Insert LaTeX Equation [hide]

LaTeX equations may be displayed in FQXi Forum posts by including them within [equation]...[/equation] tags. You may type your equation directly into your post, or use the LaTeX Equation Preview feature below to see how your equation will render (this is recommended).

For more help on LaTeX, please see the LaTeX Project Home Page.

LaTeX Equation Preview



preview equation
clear equation
insert equation into post at cursor


Your name: (optional)



Important: In order to combat spam, please select the letter in this menu between 'G' and 'I':





Please enter your e-mail address:
Note: Joining the FQXi mailing list does not give you a login account or constitute membership in the organization.