iScience said:If the speed of light is changing, does this mean that the permattivity and/or permeability are dynamically changing quantities? are these "constants" derivable yet or are they still only experimentally measured quantities?
The speed of light, vacuum permettivity and vacuum permeability are all determined by the system of units. In natural units they are all equal to 1, and in CGS the vacuum permeability and permittivity do not even exist.iScience said:If the speed of light is changing, does this mean that the permattivity and/or permeability are dynamically changing quantities? are these "constants" derivable yet or are they still only experimentally measured quantities?
Now, Lamoreaux, along with LANL colleague Justin Torgerson, has re-analysed the Oklo data using what he says are more realistic figures for the energy spectrum of the neutrons present in the reactor. The results have surprised him. Alpha, it seems, has decreased by more than 4.5 parts in 108 since Oklo was live (Physical Review D, vol 69, p121701).
That translates into a very small increase in the speed of light (assuming no change in the other constants that alpha depends on), but Lamoreaux's new analysis is so precise that he can rule out the possibility of zero change in the speed of light. "It's pretty exciting," he says.
What makes you think the speed of light (in vacuum) is changing?
The speed of light, vacuum permettivity and vacuum permeability are all determined by the system of units. In natural units they are all equal to 1, and in CGS the vacuum permeability and permittivity do not even exist.
The speed of light is a physical constant that represents the speed at which light travels in a vacuum. It is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.
According to our current understanding of physics, the speed of light is a fundamental constant and cannot be changed. However, some theories suggest that the speed of light may have been different in the early universe.
Einstein's theory of relativity states that the speed of light is the maximum speed at which all matter and information in the universe can travel. This is because as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases and requires an infinite amount of energy to accelerate further.
If the speed of light were to change, it would have a profound impact on the laws of physics and the entire universe. It could potentially alter the behavior of particles, the structure of atoms, and the concept of time itself.
While there are ongoing studies and experiments to better understand the nature of light and its behavior, there is currently no known way to change the speed of light. Any changes to this fundamental constant would require a major breakthrough in our understanding of physics.