The Universe may only be fine tuned where we are

FluffyMcDeath

FluffyMcDeath

Active Member
Member
Joined
May 17, 2005
Messages
12,258
Reaction score
2,693
The basic constants may not be and the laws of physics may be different in other parts of the universe. That is the inference from these observations, at least.
 
Given the recent "photons faster than possible" findings, perhaps it's not even that fine tuned where we are.
 
Changes spotted in fine-structure constant, alpha

from comments
The fine structure constant α = e²/2ε0hc is a running constant, and thus isn't actually constant,

"Thus α depends upon the energy at which it is measured, increasing with increasing energy, and is considered an effective or running coupling constant. Indeed, due to e+e- and other vacuum polarization processes, at an energy corresponding to the mass of the W boson (approximately 81 GeV, equivalent to a distance of approximately 2 x 10^-18 m), α(mW) is approximately 1/128 compared with its zero-energy value of approximately 1/137. Thus the famous number 1/137 is not unique or especially fundamental."

Note that varying with energy also infers varying with gravitational potential due to the spatial self-energy of a gravitational field.

When you spot a variation in alpha out in space, what you're actually seeing is a variation in spatial energy density. This inhomogeneity causes gravity, and of course energy has a mass equivalence. Gravitationally speaking, it acts just like matter.
Click to expand...
 
My cat's breathe smells like cat food - Ralph Wiggum
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top