Can quantum length be derived not using gravity constant?

In summary: And if so, does it not follow that the Planck length is the fundamental length, rather than some multiple of the gravitational length?In summary, the quantum of length is the Planck length given by \lambda_p = \sqrt{\frac{Gh}{c^3}} where G is the gravity constant, h is Planck's constant, and c is the speed of light in vacuum. There might be unknown fundamental energy and force whose ratio can also give the quantum length.
  • #1
Antonio Lao
1,440
1
The quantum of length is the Planck length given by

[tex] \lambda_p = \sqrt{\frac{Gh}{c^3}} [/tex]

where G is the gravity constant. h is Planck's constant. c is the speed of light in vacuum.

There might be unknown fundamental energy and force whose ratio can also give the quantum length.

[tex] \lambda_p = \frac{E_0}{F_0} [/tex]
 
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  • #2
Antonio Lao said:
The quantum of length is the Planck length given by

[tex] \lambda_p = \sqrt{\frac{Gh}{c^3}} [/tex]

where G is the gravity constant. h is Planck's constant. c is the speed of light in vacuum.

There might be unknown fundamental energy and force whose ratio can also give the quantum length.

[tex] \lambda_p = \frac{E_0}{F_0} [/tex]

How can you call this the "quantum of length"? What is the field of which it is the quantum? AFAIK the phrase "quantum of length" is meaningful only in LQG where it is derived from spacetime quantization. And there is is not the Planck length.
 
  • #3
You can get Planck mass (thus Planck length) as a combination of the fine structure constant, the electron mass, and the sine squared of Weinberg angle (at his unification value, 3/8). Nottale did it.
 
  • #4
selfAdjoint,

Is there such a thing as quantum of length even in LQG spacetime?
 
  • #5
Thanks arivero. I will look up Nottale.
 
  • #6
selfAdjoint,

I'm starting reading Kaku's QFT, chap 19 on quantum gravity. Maybe I can find something from what you mentioned about LQG.
 
  • #7
Antonio Lao said:
selfAdjoint,

Is there such a thing as quantum of length even in LQG spacetime?

One brand of LQG has quantized lengths and areas (not volumes, though, for technical reasons).
 
  • #8
Thank you, selfAdjoint. But what's the compelling technical reasons why volume can't be quantized? Common sense is telling me that volume should be the obvious 1st candidate for such quantization.
 
  • #9
Perhaps DSR, double special relativity, should be mentioned here. It uses a kinematical Planck length, with is assumed to be some multiple of the gravitational one, but it does not need to be.

Also, Marcus recently mentioned a acceleration got from cosmological parameters, which also can be transformed in a fundamental length.
 
  • #10
arivero said:
Also, Marcus recently mentioned a acceleration got from cosmological parameters, which also can be transformed in a fundamental length.
Is the cosmological parameter a unit of force? And this force is proportional to said acceleration which upon using Newton's 2nd law of motion indicates that mass is the constant of proportionality. But if this mass is quantized as the Planck mass, we still some quantum of energy to derive the fundamental length.

Is it not that the combined effect of Planck parameters (length, mass, energy, time) is the domain where all the fundamental forces (EM, weak, strong, gravity) are unified?
 

1. Can quantum length be measured without using the gravitational constant?

Yes, quantum length can be measured without using the gravitational constant. The gravitational constant is only necessary for calculating the force of gravity between two objects, and is not directly related to quantum length.

2. How is quantum length related to the gravitational constant?

Quantum length is not directly related to the gravitational constant. The gravitational constant is a fundamental constant used in the equation for calculating the force of gravity, while quantum length is a measurement of the scale at which quantum effects become significant.

3. Why is the gravitational constant often used in discussions about quantum length?

The gravitational constant is often used in discussions about quantum length because it is a well-known and widely used constant in physics. It is also related to other fundamental constants, such as the Planck constant, which are used in quantum mechanics.

4. Can quantum length be derived using other fundamental constants?

Yes, quantum length can be derived using other fundamental constants, such as the Planck constant and the speed of light. These constants are used in equations that describe quantum phenomena and can be used to calculate the scale at which quantum effects become significant.

5. Is there a definitive value for quantum length?

No, there is no definitive value for quantum length. It is a theoretical concept and its exact value may vary depending on the specific theory or model being used. However, there are experimental methods for estimating and measuring quantum length in different systems.

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