What is the Fine Structure Constant?

[Raparicio]

Does anybody knows a good reference or book that explains the "fine structure constant"?

 

[Andrew Mason]

Does anybody knows a good reference or book that explains the "fine structure constant"?

Try Wikepedia or just google it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_structure_constant

AM

 

[Raparicio]

Try Wikepedia or just google it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine_structure_constant

AM

I've tried both, but there's no enought information.

Thanks.

 

[Andrew Mason]

I've tried both, but there's no enought information.
.

The fine structure constant is just a dimensionless number:

$$\alpha = \frac{e^2}{2hc\epsilon_0}$$

Its significance is somewhat of a mystery. You won't find a very good answer to that question.

The current debate seems to be whether the fine structure constant has changed since the beginning of the universe. see: this recent article.

http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/%7Emim/res.html should also help.

AM

 

[Raparicio]

I don't knew that was a mistery... but now understand that my question is not only mine. Thanks for all.