The MYSTERIOUS NUMBER that Shaped our Universe! Fine Structure Constant

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  • čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
  • Visit brilliant.org/arvinash/ to get started learning STEM for free, and the first 200 people will get 20% off their annual premium subscription.
    References:
    Textbook chapter on Fine Structure: t.ly/PLM4
    Sommerfeld's original paper: t.ly/qrAF
    Good Wiki description: t.ly/f4iK
    Chapters:
    0:00 - Historical context of Fine Structure Constant
    2:54 - What is the interpretation of Fine Structure Constant?
    4:25 - How is alpha useful?
    6:44 - How Arnold Sommerfeld found it
    10:04 - How is alpha measured?
    10:36 - Why is 1/137 significant?
    12:40 - Where did fine structure constant come from?
    13:50 - Fine Structure constant is NOT constant!
    Summary:
    This constant represented by the Greek letter alpha is just a dimensionless number, so no matter what units you use, it will always have the same value, about 1/137. If it was different by just 4%, life may not exist. What is the Fine Structure Constant? What does it mean? And why is it important?
    At one time it was believed to be exactly 1/137, but today we have measured it more precisely, and it is not exactly that. it is now one of the most precisely measured constants. There is more than one way to interpret it. It is the ratio of the energy needed to overcome the electrostatic repulsion of two electrons, and the energy of a photon with the wavelength lambda λ.
    The simplest way to think of it is the ration of the speed of an electron in a classical orbit to the speed of light. In other words, the speed of an electron orbiting an atom is about 1/137th the speed of light.
    The number is directly related to the strength of the electromagnetic force. The higher the value, the greater the strength of attraction between an electron and a proton, and, the greater the repulsion between two of the same charges. One way to think of the fine structure constant is like coulomb’s constant expressed in dimensionless units.
    This constant is found everywhere because in our macro world, the two fundamental forces we directly experience most are gravity and electromagnetism. Since electromagnetism determines chemistry, alpha is critical for life.
    In Feynman diagrams, Alpha is related to the probability that an electron will emit or absorb a photon. It was German theoretical physicist, Arnold Sommerfeld who introduced it in 1916 when he was expanding the Bohr model of the atom. Prior to his work, Niels Born's model of the atom failed to explain the observed light emission of atoms. The energy levels appeared to split into two, whereas Bohr's model only predicted one. Those additional levels were very close to each other. But they indicated that Bohr’s model was incomplete. Sommerfeld was able to show that there is finer structure to the atom, that it has sub-orbitals.
    Alpha can be measured experimentally at cyclotron accelerators by accelerating an electron in a magnetic field, and measuring its magnetic moment. The electron acts like a spinning bar magnet. The magnetic moment is related to the strength and direction of the magnetic field created by this electron. The alpha value can then be figured out from this measurement.
    Why is this number 1/137 so significant? First, it’s a small number. This means that electromagnetism is relatively weak at least compared to the strong nuclear force. Consequently, electrons orbit on average, at a substantial distance away from the proton, which allows electrons to be available for exchange with other atoms, so that chemistry can take place. And thus life is possible. However, this number is not too large, because otherwise atoms would not form in the first place.
    In 1957, English astronomer Fred Hoyle and others found that the abundance of carbon in the universe could be explained only if the fine structure constant had a value that made the nuclei of helium atoms more likely to fuse to produce carbon nuclei than otherwise. They calculated that if this constant was different by 4%, Carbon and Oxygen may not have existed.
    What determines the value of α? Some believe it was set at the moment of the big bang due to the initial conditions from quantum fluctuations. Others think that there are tiny hidden dimensions that fix the value.
    Is alpha really a constant? No. Alpha changes as a function of the energy, according to QED. It is very close 1/137 at zero Kelvin which is roughly the temperature of the universe, and at room temperature. But at 10^15 Kelvin near the big bang, it would would have been around 1/127, but after a few minutes it would have reached 1/137 as today.
    #finestructureconstant
    So why do we then call it a constant, if it actually isn’t? The answer is for most practical purposes in our current universe, it is constant.
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Komentáře • 1,1K

  • @huwphillips2696
    @huwphillips2696 Před rokem +26

    I've watched quite a few videos on this subject and Arvin has by far done the best job in explaining it. Well done Arvin, first class channel

  • @-1-alex-1-
    @-1-alex-1- Před 2 lety +267

    The craziest thing about fine structure constant is that Pauli (who was absolutely posessed by this number), when he was sick and dying, was taken (without neither him, nor doctors realizing it) to the hospital's room no. 137.

    • @KeithKessler
      @KeithKessler Před 2 lety +29

      That's amusing. Do you have a source for that?

    • @LaplacianFourier
      @LaplacianFourier Před 2 lety +25

      Coincidence is frequently mistaken for miracles

    • @-1-alex-1-
      @-1-alex-1- Před 2 lety +23

      @@KeithKessler I think the episode is described in the book "137: Jung, Pauli and the Pursuit of a Scientific Obsession" by Arthur Miller. But it is also mentioned in the Wikipedia article ("Wolfgang Pauli") at the end of "Early years..."

    • @KeithKessler
      @KeithKessler Před 2 lety +5

      @@-1-alex-1- Thanx

    • @abelis644
      @abelis644 Před 2 lety +12

      @@LaplacianFourier
      Are there ever true coincidences?
      The word Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish school of mysticism that is supposed to answer ALL questions about the Universe, has a Gematria (numerical value) of...
      137.
      😶🤷‍♂️

  • @vishnus.p.4007
    @vishnus.p.4007 Před 2 lety +101

    “If you can’t explain something to a first-year student, then you haven’t really understood.” - Richard Feynman
    Now that's what you are doing !!! The way you explain each of your video makes any average person understand it !!! You are a good teacher and content creator !!!

    • @dcode1000
      @dcode1000 Před 2 lety +1

      I thought it was”if you can’t explain it to a kid” 😂😂 but I get the just

    • @hakiza-technologyltd.8198
      @hakiza-technologyltd.8198 Před rokem

      Dark matter /energy paradox SOLVED
      m.czcams.com/video/ZQNWVQc5sNI/video.html

    • @vhawk1951kl
      @vhawk1951kl Před rokem

      What experience have you of "the average person"?
      The average person can only possibly be imaginary can it not?

    • @vhawk1951kl
      @vhawk1951kl Před rokem

      Ithink Feynman understood perfectly well that all that atomectron mumbo jumbo was pure religion cum imagination-it's the old invisible aeroplanes scam, 54 32 1 1 ..... I must merely wait for my Voila!

    • @vhawk1951kl
      @vhawk1951kl Před rokem

      and what exactly do you get from these" explanations?
      Ah yes: "teachers says" that every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings, because...?
      Because " teacher says" so it must be so.
      ace " explanation" that.

  • @colinfew6570
    @colinfew6570 Před 2 lety +168

    Fantastically easy to follow. This man is an absolute legend.

  • @thestragequack3598
    @thestragequack3598 Před 2 lety +176

    This is one of the criminally underrated channel on CZcams. You're an amazing educator, sir.❤️

    • @medexamtoolsdotcom
      @medexamtoolsdotcom Před 2 lety +9

      Criminally underrated? He has more than half a million subscribers. I have seen youtube channels that produced great content and had like 500 subscribers.

    • @tomasneel1980
      @tomasneel1980 Před 2 lety +1

      What’s criminal is how theorists turn a blind eye to thermodynamics and entropy. Every theorists admits, to continue on with theory’s, they have to ignore it.

    • @djuk6573
      @djuk6573 Před 2 lety

      Rubbish, he's overrated if anything, he had a ridiculously weak grasp of the subject and is awful at trying to explain.
      Dunning kruger in person.

    • @WreckedRectum
      @WreckedRectum Před rokem +5

      @@djuk6573 How delightfully ironic it is when that comment comes from someone whose only video on their channel is a link to a very old climate change denier “documentary”. 😂

    • @djuk6573
      @djuk6573 Před rokem +1

      @@WreckedRectum tell me one thing that's wrong in that documentary.

  • @petermarksteiner7754
    @petermarksteiner7754 Před 2 lety +20

    You didn't mention Arthur Eddington who came up with a theory why the denominator of the fine structure constant must be 136. When better experiments showed it to be 137, he came up with another theory. This earned him the nickname of Arthur Adding-one. Recently, Sir Michael Atiyah revived Eddington's work from its well-deserved oblivion, embellished by yet another theory to explain the decimal places. I tried to read Sir Michael's paper: it's very well written, but I'm afraid it doesn't make much sense. He was nearly 90 and would die a few months later.

    • @ArvinAsh
      @ArvinAsh  Před 2 lety +4

      Yes, it's an amusing story. I didn't think it was relevant to the main understanding of the constant.

  • @ChannelSRL1
    @ChannelSRL1 Před 2 lety +15

    I've been waiting for a more comprehensive coverage of this topic -- and you delivered as usual.

  • @dray7579
    @dray7579 Před 2 lety +87

    Of all my years of watching physics lectures and books, this is the first i heard of this. Alvin keep up the good work on illuminating these missing subjects. Thanks

    • @Starcraft2Sonic
      @Starcraft2Sonic Před 2 lety +5

      Yes :) His name is Arvin btw - not Alvin.

    • @fdsfds7339
      @fdsfds7339 Před 2 lety

      Same, this was big.

    • @fdsfds7339
      @fdsfds7339 Před 2 lety +2

      @@Starcraft2Sonic I think it autocorrected to Alvin from Arvin

    • @princeofcupspoc9073
      @princeofcupspoc9073 Před 2 lety +2

      That goes to show that the resources you are used to are not teaching you anything. I keep saying it. If you CANNOT DO THE MATH, you CANNOT UNDERSTAND even the basic concepts of physics.

    • @ivornworrell
      @ivornworrell Před 2 lety +3

      God invented Mathematics, man merely discovered that which God ALREADY invented, so @0:14 why was Pauli going to seek answers from the devil when both he AND the devil are just created beings? Shouldn't Pauli be seeking wisdom from God instead, Who is All Wise? Salaam.

  • @Petrov3434
    @Petrov3434 Před rokem +17

    The graphics and especially the meticulous accuracy in key details is astonishing. I can’t imagine the amount of time and effort invested in these masterpieces.

  • @jedgrahek1426
    @jedgrahek1426 Před 2 lety +12

    I watch a number of physics and astrophysics channels, and I have to say, you really do what you claim. Your explanation of concepts is always a perfect balance between full proper explanation and a little random fun... and your videos have that same vibe, like you clearly know what you're talking about, but I don't feel like there's a test coming up, which is the vibe of some other popular physics channels. This is really good stuff, glad I found you.

    • @ArvinAsh
      @ArvinAsh  Před 2 lety +2

      Thanks! That's exactly what I'm trying to do - explain the understandable details, but also indulge myself and the audience in the mysticism of science, while trying to point out how it is usually not so mystical.

  • @litltoosee
    @litltoosee Před rokem +2

    For those interested, there is a very well done, and also not well known movie that involves the FSC, available on CZcams Movies. It's entitled "UFO", starring Alex Sharp, David Strathairn, and Gillian Anderson. Now before you roll your eyes and giggle, the film takes a very plausible look at the possibility of the FSC being employed as a measure for intelligence, and the basis of a universally common mathmatical tool for communication. It's a good watch and it's well written and produced.

  • @PareshDesai
    @PareshDesai Před rokem +4

    Learnt something new for today. Now I will never forget 1/137 as magical number.

  • @helpmechangetheworld
    @helpmechangetheworld Před 2 lety +6

    Very cool video. I'm learning more and more! Thank you for taking the time to share!

  • @GururajBN
    @GururajBN Před 2 lety +13

    I had never heard or read about the fine structure constant. Many thanks for the illuminating talk. Learnt something new today.

  • @Chon2052
    @Chon2052 Před rokem +8

    For real, i want this channel to be more popular! It is incredible how you explain everything about physics!!!
    Thank you very much!!

  • @zerk317
    @zerk317 Před 2 lety +14

    The highlight of my Sunday! Thanks for being good at what you do, Arvin Ash team! 👍🏼

  • @richardvernon7019
    @richardvernon7019 Před 2 lety +4

    as usual , a great video, Arvin....clear, concise explanation, thank you

  • @mmotsenbocker
    @mmotsenbocker Před 2 lety +6

    this is an amazing video. I have watched 5 times and will look for the QED video next. I cant believe such high quality, insightful videos are found here

  • @yendorelrae5476
    @yendorelrae5476 Před 2 lety +2

    Still one of the best! Another great video! The Feynman aspect of his fascination of 1/137 has intrigued me a while now.

  • @nuefar
    @nuefar Před 2 lety +5

    My new favorite physics CZcams channel. No one else is talking about any of these obscure yet super interesting topics. Thank you sir!

  • @Gastrodr2
    @Gastrodr2 Před 2 lety +7

    Love all your videos ! I would love to hear more about Casimir effect and one on basis of quantum computers
    Love your delivery style
    Thank you

  • @solomonlalani
    @solomonlalani Před 2 lety +9

    Never to miss Arvin's explanation. Always a lot to learn! Keep going Arvin - you're helping the humanity! Besti wishes!

    • @seanriopel3132
      @seanriopel3132 Před rokem

      Whenever I want to fully comprehend a scientific concept, this is one of my go-to resources. Certain people have a natural ability to breakdown a complex subject into easy to comprehend segments allowing the most people to understand. Sciclicenglish, veritasium, fermilab, are done of the others.

  • @tommylee2894
    @tommylee2894 Před rokem +1

    Excellent video production and information. Presentation is outstanding. Thank you!

  • @SocksWithSandals
    @SocksWithSandals Před 2 lety +2

    That was so easy to understand the way you explained it, Arvin.

  • @user-k229
    @user-k229 Před rokem +4

    Awesome explanation as usual.
    I have theory that in order for Arvin to produce such CONSTANTLY BRILLIANT videos he requires his brain to be at a constant temperature and that's why he wears that great looking hat!
    Always learning from you Arvin.

  • @Klocksby
    @Klocksby Před 2 lety +3

    Your videos are always so interesting!

  • @LQhristian
    @LQhristian Před 2 lety +2

    Wonderful video!! Hard to image it being done better!!

  • @brianwright9215
    @brianwright9215 Před 2 lety +1

    Beautiful video 🙌🏿 Thank you Arvin 🙏🏿

  • @adamrspears1981
    @adamrspears1981 Před 2 lety +3

    Thanks Arvin!!
    I ALWAYS get super excited when you tease another new video....& Christmas comes early when you put up on CZcams!!!
    Thanks so much, Sir!!
    After thinking about it, I ask "What is the total pie"
    If Alpha is just 1 out of 137 slices of this "pie" ....Then what IS the pie??
    What is the 137 ??
    Is the 137 the "super force" that was briefly before it split into the 4 fundamental forces in nature???
    I think if we can know what the 137 represents, then we can maybe put The Alpha Constant into some sort of useful context.

    • @ArvinAsh
      @ArvinAsh  Před 2 lety

      Thanks so much! Glad you enjoy them.

  • @das_it_mane
    @das_it_mane Před 2 lety +3

    Incredibly put together and explained

  • @carloscarrizo6355
    @carloscarrizo6355 Před 2 lety +2

    Cómo siempre Arvin, felicitaciones por tu simpleza y calidad, que tengas un buen domingo y gracias por el aporte. Saludos

  • @Feroxing12
    @Feroxing12 Před 2 lety +1

    Arvin your brilliant ad in reference to sommerfeld was smooth.

  • @bentationfunkiloglio
    @bentationfunkiloglio Před 2 lety +28

    Best physics discussions online! Thank you for putting these videos out.

  • @The_NASA_GUY
    @The_NASA_GUY Před 2 lety +64

    Thanks for the explanation. I applaud the fact that you I said “I don’t know.” One of the problems in physics today is that not enough scientists say that phrase. I think it opens the path for others to look in that direction.

    • @abelis644
      @abelis644 Před 2 lety +3

      True, Scientists, those of integrity, ALWAYS say I don't know.

    • @BritishBeachcomber
      @BritishBeachcomber Před 2 lety +2

      Research scientists say "I don't know" every day. That's where great ideas come from.

    • @travisprugh6347
      @travisprugh6347 Před 2 lety +1

      I am none of those and i know that i dont know.

    • @timterrell8678
      @timterrell8678 Před rokem

      That’s not how science works. In physics, scientists don’t just say they know and block others paths from researching it. The scientific method is followed. Papers are published and peer reviewed. The results are duplicated and verified.

    • @johndef5075
      @johndef5075 Před rokem +1

      Smart people aren't afraid to say they dont know.

  • @ekananda9591
    @ekananda9591 Před 2 lety +2

    There is always something new to learn from this channel ❤️

  • @textheflex881
    @textheflex881 Před rokem +1

    Love your stuff Arvin, thanks again :)

  • @robertschlesinger1342
    @robertschlesinger1342 Před 2 lety +3

    Excellent video, as always. Very interesting, informative and worthwhile video. Many thanks for the links to the articles, including Arnold Sommerfeld's original article.

  • @medexamtoolsdotcom
    @medexamtoolsdotcom Před 2 lety +4

    Well I didn't know it varied with temperature. Also, my cat Bullet intently watched this whole video as I watched it. I don't think he understood your words, but your animations were varied and dynamic enough to keep him interested the whole time.

  • @sebastiaocosta6897
    @sebastiaocosta6897 Před 11 měsíci +2

    Explicação clara, didática e muito bem ilustrada. Genial, muito favorável à compreensão. Vídeo indispensável...

  • @sidd-hk5kn
    @sidd-hk5kn Před 2 lety +2

    Very good video Arvin

  • @daveturnbull7221
    @daveturnbull7221 Před rokem +8

    I like watching videos like this as they remind me that basically I know pretty much nothing but at the same time show me that I'm not alone in that. This one has sent my limited grey matter spiralling off in all sorts of directions wondering about what other constants are out there and what sort of things are they used in. I think I'm going to have some fun with this whole concept 😊

    • @vhawk1951kl
      @vhawk1951kl Před rokem

      How do you define "know"?
      *Can*you define or set out what you seek to convey when you use the word" know"?
      What would be a clear example of " know" or knowing?
      Is there any material difference between" know" or " knowing" and believe/believing or assume/ assuming or infer/inferring and wherein lies that difference?
      For example do you "know"that the thing on the end of your left leg is your left foot, and if so *How* do you know that *If*you do?

    • @phaedrussmith1949
      @phaedrussmith1949 Před rokem

      If potential knowledge is infinite, then simple math proves that at any given moment, no matter how much we know, we really know nothing.

  • @engizmo
    @engizmo Před 2 lety +3

    Awesome, video yet again.
    I've seen that number pop up in some fun circle geometry stuff I've played around with.
    Not surprised tho as PI seems to relate to it as per those equations you showed.

    • @DKFX1
      @DKFX1 Před 2 lety

      I very much doubt you've seen this exact value show up in circle geometry. If you are sure then I'd love to see proof:) As far as I know there's no known connection to any purely geometric ratios.

    • @engizmo
      @engizmo Před 2 lety

      @@DKFX1 yeah, would love someone to look over it.
      Please share your email and I'll reach out.

    • @DKFX1
      @DKFX1 Před 2 lety

      @@engizmo tried sending my mail, but YT auto-deleted. :/

    • @engizmo
      @engizmo Před 2 lety

      @@DKFX1 😢

  • @rickelliott2092
    @rickelliott2092 Před 2 lety +1

    Terrific style plus depth of knowledge gives us the unique Arvin Ashe! Just wow and thanks Arvin! We’ll done son!

  • @thedeemon
    @thedeemon Před 2 lety +1

    Very nicely done video!

  • @10-den-see
    @10-den-see Před 2 lety +4

    This man should get an award for being the best teacher

  • @Bboyduck
    @Bboyduck Před rokem +3

    This and "the golden ratio" are the signatures of god

  • @CheatOnlyDeath
    @CheatOnlyDeath Před rokem +1

    Just wow. What a great job of bringing such an elusive thing into the almost graspable.

  • @carpemkarzi
    @carpemkarzi Před rokem +1

    Thank you. I popped over from Answers with Joe and have found another cool channel to peruse.

  • @nomadexplorer6682
    @nomadexplorer6682 Před 2 lety +5

    Great presentation as always Arvin. The graphics and the narration is superb.
    If entropy in the universe is increasing, then the universe is cooling down, do we know the rate of cooling ? What equation is employed to calculate this ?
    Are all the events that are happening in the macro state in the universe probabilistic or deterministic ? Any method to ascertain this ?
    You say alpha is changing over time, do we know the rate of change ? At what stage of alpha will the Big Crunch happen ?

    • @vhawk1951kl
      @vhawk1951kl Před rokem

      Apart from imaginary, what is "the universe"?
      Since you have no idea what "the universe" is or might be, how could you possibly discover whether or not it is what you call "cooling down"?
      Can that which is imaginary "cool down"?

  • @user-Tenebrea
    @user-Tenebrea Před 2 lety +4

    Hi Arvin! Please make a video about theories that say what can be on scales smaller than the Planck length

  • @darkace37
    @darkace37 Před rokem +1

    Top tier content, thanks Arvin.

  • @Newdaur_
    @Newdaur_ Před rokem +2

    Great job 👏🏻, please make videos on Anthropic principle to understand better on this topic thanks

  • @BsktImp
    @BsktImp Před 2 lety +11

    When the coder was scripting their simulation engine, they chose 137 'cause it gave smooth results with the GPU when simulating our universe.

    • @thedeemon
      @thedeemon Před 2 lety +5

      127 is so much nicer though (it's 1111111 in binary)

    • @javiej
      @javiej Před 2 lety +4

      that's why it changed to 127 at the big bang, it was too hot and the coder did some undervolting to reduce temperature

    • @dananorth895
      @dananorth895 Před rokem

      Maybe the stepper motors had fractal gearing?

  • @tomhummel2641
    @tomhummel2641 Před 2 lety +3

    Thanks for mentioning Arnold Sommerfeld, an obvious hole in my education!

    • @l.h.308
      @l.h.308 Před rokem

      If I remember correctly the very young Werner Heisenberg was a student of Sommerfeld or at least had some contact with him.

  • @higherresolution4490
    @higherresolution4490 Před 7 měsíci +2

    No one comes close to you as a physics educator, that's for sure! And how you illustrate your subject is stunning.

  • @GreenfieldPortfolioResearch

    what a well done work. what a great guy you are. so much thank you. really thank you. keep it up!!!

  • @gwentchamp8720
    @gwentchamp8720 Před 2 lety +12

    Imagine what Arnold Sommerfeld could have accomplished with Brilliant 😂

    • @hexagonist23
      @hexagonist23 Před 2 lety +2

      Pay lots of money to learn some information that is easily available free everywhere?

  • @ThinAirElon
    @ThinAirElon Před 2 lety +19

    Hi Arvin, can you please do a video on how magically einstien cameup or derived formula E=MC2 and why variables in most of the formulas are squared ? And how scientists comes up with constants like planks constant or speed of light it self?

    • @SACHIN-yw4hd
      @SACHIN-yw4hd Před 2 lety +3

      I was thinking about this.😯

    • @kshitijkumar5629
      @kshitijkumar5629 Před 2 lety +3

      It is not that every variables or most variables are squared. For this we need to understand maths especially calculus, trigonometry, algebra. If you are comfortable, you can start with reading simple special relativity concepts like time dilation, length contraction, equivalence principle.
      Lots of good books exist on modern physics, from which you can take reference.
      Deriving E=mc² could be hard comparatively to other concepts like time dilation or length contraction , as it's calculus heavy, so you might need to be very comfortable with calculus. Now it can be considered as coincidence or something with no inherent explanation as to why many variables are squared. In 2d coordinate geometry, its very evident due to the formula we write for distances.
      Regards.

    • @onebronx
      @onebronx Před rokem +2

      Most squared variables come either from integration of a linear relation (mv --> mv²/2), or just from spreading some constant value over a surface area (most inverse square laws, like a force of gravity or EM force).

  • @magicmulder
    @magicmulder Před 2 lety +2

    2:53 Funny, when I first heard about “close to 1/137”, the first thing that popped into my head was “I wonder what it’s like in a different base”.

  • @Pindi44
    @Pindi44 Před rokem +1

    Wonderful explanation of a mind-boggling number, thank you Sir.

  • @marcellorenzz9525
    @marcellorenzz9525 Před 2 lety +3

    does that mean, that the fine structure constant can have different values depending on the temperature/energy of the locality (like the core of stars; at collision points etc)? And "if" so, how does it affect the particles/fusion reactions? Or would it be irrelevant when only plasma is involved?
    Arvin and Matt are the only two ppl that always leave me with more questions after gettimg an answer - LOVE it!

    • @ArvinAsh
      @ArvinAsh  Před 2 lety +2

      The different values only apply at the temperatures which were present at close to the big bang. The core of stars is much cooler than that. At these temperatures, the constant does not vary enough to make a big difference.

    • @medexamtoolsdotcom
      @medexamtoolsdotcom Před 2 lety

      He said it only went from 1/137 to 1/127 when the temperature got up to a quadrillion degrees. At even a billion degrees, and that's about as hot as any star can be, it would be a million times closer to 1/137 than 1/127 is, in other words still very close to 1/137.

    • @marcellorenzz9525
      @marcellorenzz9525 Před 2 lety

      @@medexamtoolsdotcom sure, close to "normal", but since it´s so inportant that it has exactly the value it has - who knows what even the slightest difference would have on fundamentally weird things like quantum objects^^

  • @prajwalkowndinya6601
    @prajwalkowndinya6601 Před 2 lety +3

    Please don't stop making videos on this CZcams channel. Nice 👍👍

    • @ArvinAsh
      @ArvinAsh  Před 2 lety +2

      Thank you. But all good things come to an end. I probably will not be making these videos too much longer. I'm spent. But people like you who appreciate these videos keep me going.

    • @prajwalkowndinya6601
      @prajwalkowndinya6601 Před 2 lety +3

      @@ArvinAsh wow you're a great person. I can totally understand what you're trying to say, so it's ok. Just wanted to say big fan. Love from India 🇮🇳

  • @musicodeon
    @musicodeon Před 6 měsíci

    Great job explaining such an esoteric idea.

  • @jorgeluis3725
    @jorgeluis3725 Před rokem +1

    Fantastic video Sir.

  • @CaptainPeterRMiller
    @CaptainPeterRMiller Před 2 lety +3

    This is another great presentation. Gosh, our knowledge of the Universe has changed so much since my High Scool days in 1966. Expanding Universe is Expanding Minds. Thanks Arvin.

  • @captainzappbrannagan
    @captainzappbrannagan Před 2 lety +23

    Another great video. One day we may have a great answer as to why the constants are the way they are, and these inquisitions and summaries help get us there :)
    Question: I'd love to know why we don't think the center of a black hole is just a quark gluon plasma, where quarks can't overlap and some can or something, how do we now it is a point singularity?
    Question2: Why would someone think there is a black hole emptying out into a white hole, when the mass of the black hole is not being drained? I would think we'd have to see black holes very quickly evaporate if there was an empty'ing out in its white hole counterpart.

    • @rael_gc
      @rael_gc Před 2 lety +4

      In science, usually with great answers, we got more great questions. This is why science is so fascinating!

    • @PETERJOHN101
      @PETERJOHN101 Před 2 lety +3

      The truth is that science only answers how, not why. The pursuit of science is in reality part of a religious paradigm, one whose pursuit of physical effects can never reveal _why._ How and why are very different things.

    • @rael_gc
      @rael_gc Před 2 lety +3

      @@PETERJOHN101 Sorry, science answers a lot of whys. I think you're messing the subjects here, coming to a science channel to try to discuss religion. If you have a religion (or not), and which one, is totally a different subject.

    • @ivornworrell
      @ivornworrell Před 2 lety

      God invented Mathematics, man merely discovered that which God ALREADY invented, so @0:14 why was Pauli going to seek answers from the devil when both he AND the devil are just created beings? Shouldn't Pauli be seeking wisdom from God instead, Who is All Wise? Salaam.

    • @Andromedon777
      @Andromedon777 Před 2 lety

      @@ivornworrell Don't read too deep into Paul's quote. He was being sarcastic

  • @monstergdc
    @monstergdc Před 2 lety +1

    I've not learn so much in one shot for a long time, thx!

  • @Raja-kr8ul
    @Raja-kr8ul Před rokem +1

    Excellent video sir, i could understand this as small level.

  • @Lukionest
    @Lukionest Před 2 lety +11

    You mentioned alpha's relationship to the speed of the electron being 1/137 of c. Does this indicate that alpha determines the electron's speed or is it merely a coincidence that the electron's speed divided by c is a value that is close to that of alpha? Do other particles with mass have a similar speed or is it just the electron?

    • @ArvinAsh
      @ArvinAsh  Před 2 lety +10

      Ratio of electron speed and speed of light is a way to think of the meaning of alpha. It is not a coincidence, it is how it was derived.

    • @BloobleBonker
      @BloobleBonker Před 2 lety

      Would it also apply to a muon orbiting a proton?

    • @Lukionest
      @Lukionest Před 2 lety +1

      @@ArvinAshThank you for the response. Since electrons have mass and light does not, does that indicate a relationship between alpha and the Higg's field, in terms of the Higg's strength or some other aspect of Higgs?

    • @thedeemon
      @thedeemon Před 2 lety

      @@BloobleBonker Muon is much heavier, it should orbit at a different speed. (of course this whole talk of electron's and muon's speed in an atom isn't very meaningful in quantum mechanics, at least this shouldn't be taken too literally)

    • @thedeemon
      @thedeemon Před 2 lety +2

      @@Lukionest Alpha is all about coupling constant between the photon field and electrically charged particles. It's not related to Higgs in any way. With Higgs field there is a similar coupling constant, it gives us particles' mass.

  • @michaelbartlett6864
    @michaelbartlett6864 Před 2 lety +5

    Arvin, I think the real magic number is actually "13", which represents the number of spheres of the same size that can occupy any given volume perfectly with all of them touching the center sphere packed as tightly as possible - this is illustrated in the ancient drawings of the "Flower of Life".

    • @henrytjernlund
      @henrytjernlund Před 2 lety +1

      I think that sphere packing depends on the number of dimensions you are working in.
      There are videos that are based on abstract algebra on hyper complex numbers. In these you it seems that divisional algebras (plus, minus, multiply, and divide) work only in 1, 2, 4, and 8 dimensions. Look up Divisional Algebras and the Standard Model.

    • @michaelbartlett6864
      @michaelbartlett6864 Před 2 lety +1

      @@henrytjernlund I'm talking about the three spatial dimensions that make up our perceived reality at any given point in time.

  • @mrtiphat5405
    @mrtiphat5405 Před 2 lety +1

    Great video! Thank you.

  • @anthonymarhone7881
    @anthonymarhone7881 Před rokem +1

    I don't think I've ever been this freakishly curious about one of Arvin's explanations before the intro even started

  • @sphinxtheeminx
    @sphinxtheeminx Před 2 lety +4

    Marvellous stuff and way beyond my IQ level but I still find your channel exhilarating.

  • @sciencedon3993
    @sciencedon3993 Před 2 lety +9

    i watched your video on fields and that was the day it became clear to me what fields actually are. but after watching your video, i found myself in a new problem. before that i believed that the universe is discrete and after knowing about fields i now think that universe is continouse, please help me sort this out in some future video. thank you. you are the best in my list.

    • @generaltheory
      @generaltheory Před 2 lety

      The universe is pretty big and cardinalities are also. Y'know, N, Q, R, R2...

    • @BlackHole-qw9qg
      @BlackHole-qw9qg Před 2 lety

      Universe can be discontinuous or continuous depending on the true nature of space time (see Loop Quantum Gravity for example). But it has nothing to do with the other quantum fields because they all are embedded in our (supposedly continuous) spacetime.

    • @DFPercush
      @DFPercush Před 2 lety

      Wave functions are continuous. Interactions are discrete. The continuous wave function tells you the probability that a certain discrete event will happen. Often times, in the macro world, there are so many interactions that we can practically think of things as continuous, like radio waves. They're still just a bunch of photons, but they involve billions of times more photons than visible light. We just can't practically isolate a single radio photon. So it makes sense to use a continuous field model when designing antennas. All models are approximations. You use the one that answers the question you need to ask. Newton's laws will get you to Mars, even though they are not the complete reality.

  • @elsaarcilla5664
    @elsaarcilla5664 Před 10 měsíci

    This is by far one of the best videos I've seen that attempts to teach the fine structure constant.

  • @raydaypinball
    @raydaypinball Před 2 lety +2

    That ad segue was Brilliant

  • @Regularsshorts
    @Regularsshorts Před 2 lety +3

    Glad to see so many people liking this wonderful subject. Thanks to Arvin Sir.

  • @bibleredpill7225
    @bibleredpill7225 Před 2 lety +3

    I love the fearless reasonable consideration of an intelligent creator on this channel. You are the only scientist making videos of this type on CZcams willing and brave enough to discuss it as a point of thought. Keep up the great videos

  • @xman933
    @xman933 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Awesome episode.

  • @roqueceravolo1969
    @roqueceravolo1969 Před rokem +1

    It was the best explanation on this excellent subject.

  • @hexagonist23
    @hexagonist23 Před 2 lety +4

    Wow. Amazing. Isn't the universe and everything that has ever existed just one big piece of art?

  • @foreverraining1522
    @foreverraining1522 Před 2 lety +4

    Hi Arvin, can you do a video on the Penrose theory of conformal cyclic cosmology.

  • @metasamsara
    @metasamsara Před 2 lety +2

    alpha is the passage of time and energy exchange ratio. there is currently no theory of time on the quantum, and that is a big oversight because time is not a constant, it's one of the variables that explain how we are able to transcode the quantum into our perceived reality. Think of how quickly mosquitos fly and die. And how slow tortoises move and how old they live. How light seems to be instantaneous yet still physically need to travel. Or how slowly gravity pulls us from afar yet seems to manifest instantly at a certain distance. How the scale of reactions impacts the speed at which changes occur.

  • @mazighmighis6736
    @mazighmighis6736 Před 2 lety +1

    Thanks a lot for this great video

  • @tarangsrivastava3638
    @tarangsrivastava3638 Před 2 lety +4

    Great video! So if the value is changing for this constant, would it be possible it will change again in say a million years and we just happen to calculate the value in these conditions of the universe today. ? I m not against the fine tuning theory but i highly doubt its validation.

    • @ArvinAsh
      @ArvinAsh  Před 2 lety +2

      Unlikely. We are not likely to approach the temperatures near the big bang in the current trajectory of the universe.

  • @Owdren
    @Owdren Před 2 lety +5

    I think a possible answer to the question of why it is such a random number might be closely related to the many-worlds theory. If life and the universe did not exist because the value of the fine structure constant was not 1/137, then no life would be around to ask why such a value. Many questions about why the constants of the universe are so precise and unpredictable might actually be answered by the many-worlds theory. We could simply be one of or the only universe hospitable to life. Forgive my english I'm a french 15-year-old :p

    • @DFPercush
      @DFPercush Před 2 lety +1

      Your English is perfect! I had no idea until you said you were French. But yeah, many questions can be answered by the anthropic principle and many worlds. "Why is x?" --> "Well somewhere there is not x, but there's nobody around to ask why." :P

    • @BirdTho
      @BirdTho Před rokem

      Because it would be horrible if the universe was deliberately created, that someone comes up with a many world theory?

  • @atulhyd
    @atulhyd Před rokem

    Very interesting topic. Got me thinking whether all the universal constants are somehow related through time and space, and thus lead to one grand unified constant from which all others derive.

  • @geraltderivedroite
    @geraltderivedroite Před 2 lety

    Excellent video (as usal)
    Arvin i have some questions... About you ! Where do you live? What's your typical job, at least before making us happy with your fantastic videos? Do you have children? How do you find time to do your videos so well done and to read almost all the comments, are you living neer a black hole ?? ;) Why not doing a video in one shot like such an FAQ i'm sure your community will be very happy to know a little bit more about their favorite teacher. Thanks a ton for doing your videos with so much passion and share wirh us your talent, all the best Arvin

  • @avadhutd1403
    @avadhutd1403 Před 2 lety +3

    Thanks for another great video
    Wish you happy new year 🎊🎁
    Is there possibility that other universe exist with diff value of Alpha and other constants with generate whole different physics law and property ?
    According to my knowledge of they existed we cannot communicate with them is there any way to create them in lab or contact them

    • @pansan4967
      @pansan4967 Před 2 lety

      It could be, but as you said, we could not communicate with these other universes. So it doesen't really matter. You can kinda make up your own universe with its own laws of physics in your head. But your mind is limited with the boudaries of our universe, so have fun.

    • @ivornworrell
      @ivornworrell Před 2 lety

      God invented Mathematics, man merely discovered that which God ALREADY invented, so @0:14 why was Pauli going to seek answers from the devil when both he AND the devil are just created beings? Shouldn't Pauli be seeking wisdom from God instead, Who is All Wise? Salaam.

    • @pansan4967
      @pansan4967 Před 2 lety

      @@ivornworrell This does not explain anything. Humans always put god into the place where we can't explain a phenomena, but we always push forward and find ways to explain even the complexed things. First it was God who created humans, now we know better, first it was God that makes the sun hot and glow, now we know better. We put god as an explanation to why the moon orbits the earth, now we know better. Putting god as a solution to a problem makes yourself ignorant to the problem itself. Do not underestimate research done by humans. Sure, god could have done the big bang. What gives, because it is a time where we can't find any answers yet. Maybe in a few hundred years we have a solution to that problem and the existince of god shifted again as history and science pushes forward. God is just a placeholder for things we don't understand yet.

  • @dragovian
    @dragovian Před 2 lety +4

    While it is interesting that things like α and π, are ratios, there are a lot of constants, like c. Couldn't we reverse engineer starting from any of these values, (like i.e we say c = 1), to find the actual mathematical model, that the universe was created?
    If I had created it, the values would be proportionate of one another, or atleast somehow connected

    • @harrkev
      @harrkev Před 2 lety +1

      This has already been done. Look up "Planck units."

  • @Verschlungen
    @Verschlungen Před rokem +1

    At 8:08-8:25, those are superb graphics for explaining fine structure!!
    After reading about the fine structure in so many books, finally I 'get it' (completely) thanks to that graphic.
    A quibble regarding the alpha formula. The real formula is this...
    α = e^2/2hεc
    Note that it contains h, not h-bar, and is π-free. The real version (given immediately above) is seen rarely, but it does occur in at least the following two reputable places: McQuarrie, Quantum Chemistry, back cover, and Unzicker, Einstein's Lost Key, pp. 45 and 51.
    The commonly seen version, shown in this video at 2:00, is nonsensical since the explicit π and the hidden π (in h-bar's denominator) cancel one another. That's one reason to avoid the common version: π chases its own tail to say, in effect, "now multiply by 1." The other reason is that it reinforces the earthling superstition of π, regarded as mystical rather than as a useful tool for calculating circular things. (ETs will never bother trying to communicate with earthlings so long as we wallow in the dual superstition of π and the Golden Ratio.)

  • @keopsequinox1624
    @keopsequinox1624 Před rokem +1

    Excellent video

  • @DrGalile0
    @DrGalile0 Před 2 lety +3

    Amazing video (as always) and amazing channel!
    However, "life" = "life as we know it". Different alpha might just mean different life :)

    • @ArvinAsh
      @ArvinAsh  Před 2 lety +1

      Well said!

    • @DrGalile0
      @DrGalile0 Před 2 lety

      @@ArvinAsh, you have one of the best channels explaining physics out there! I am a teacher too (biology), and I am just stunned by how well you can explain complex topics - bravo!!

  • @kyzercube
    @kyzercube Před 2 lety +3

    Nature is not " fine tuned for life ". Life is fine tuned to nature. I find it disturbing when people in self indulgent folly and blind arrogance make such claims as this, especially when their ironic claims in which the opposite can be debated with ease. Almost as if such claims are being plagiarized or hijacked.

    • @yziib3578
      @yziib3578 Před 2 lety

      You clearly do not understand fine tuning but you will state your strong opinion about it. Are you projecting blind arrogance?

  • @MyEyedol
    @MyEyedol Před 2 lety +1

    Great video, thanks a lot!!!! greeteings from Mexico

  • @desi_patriot
    @desi_patriot Před rokem +1

    Ur explanation is SUPERB.. a template for others

  • @timtravasos2742
    @timtravasos2742 Před rokem +1

    Great explanation

  • @scottgreen3807
    @scottgreen3807 Před rokem +1

    Nice work.

  • @miketrissel5494
    @miketrissel5494 Před rokem +2

    I'm not a student - in fact, I am an old man. Some of this is a little hard to follow, but maybe I just missed a few things. I know that electrons are negatively charged, but you showed them as spinning, with magnetic poles of their own. Do you know if this spin is constant? At one point, I thought you were getting close to saying this, but I never really felt it. As the electrons absorb and emit energy, you are saying they ascend and desend in the orbital path. Would that effect the spin? Maybe that was assumed in the equation, and it was just too fast for me, but rattling around in my brain are pictures of electrons that might even reverse their spin, or change their angle of spin as they approach each other, kind of like the earth's polar shift that is going on, if you can see where I am going with this. Appreciate any input - thanks

  • @tresajessygeorge210
    @tresajessygeorge210 Před 2 lety

    THANK YOU DR. ARVIN ASH...!!!