# Fine structures constant

#### Raparicio

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

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#### Andrew Mason

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Raparicio said:
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 [Broken] should also help.

AM

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#### Raparicio

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

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