Number of basic physical quantities

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the idea that only four basic physical quantities—length, time, mass, and electric charge or current—are sufficient to explain all natural phenomena. The argument suggests that other quantities, such as luminous intensity, mole, and temperature, are subjective or artificial constructs rather than fundamental. It highlights the arbitrary nature of defining basic physical quantities, which can vary based on the choice of units. A reference to an article on units systems in electromagnetism is provided for further exploration of the topic. The conversation emphasizes the complexity and subjectivity in categorizing physical quantities.
Fe-56
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
Recently, I was thinking about this:

Am I right if I say that there are only 4 (and exactly 4) basic physical quantities which are enough to explain all observed phenomena in nature?
(of course I mean HOW, not why)
(for example length, time, mass and electric charge or current)


(Because the SI table for example would explain how natural phenomana work and there are 7 basic quantities in it, but luminous intensity is just human subjective perception of light energies, mole is just a natural number and temperature is just something artificial talking about velocity of particles.)


thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The number of basic "physical quantities" is arbitrary, and depends on your overall choice of units.
It is explained, in the context of Units Systems in Electromagnetism, at
http://arxiv.org/abs/1506.01951
This entire article may contain more than you're looking for, but your question will likely be answered in the course of your reading it.
- Neal
 
Thread 'Is there a white hole inside every black hole?'

Thread 'Is there a white hole inside every black hole?'

This is what I am thinking. How much feasible is it? There is a white hole inside every black hole The white hole spits mass/energy out continuously The mass/energy that is spit out of a white hole drops back into it eventually. This is because of extreme space time curvature around the white hole Ironically this extreme space time curvature of the space around a white hole is caused by the huge mass/energy packed in the white hole Because of continuously spitting mass/energy which keeps...
View full post »

Thread 'Need help understanding particle physics and quantum physics'

So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
View full post »

Similar threads

Is time real (in a physical sense)?
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Why is length considered a fundamental (base) quantity?
Replies
38
Views
4K
B How and why can multiplication combine physical quantities?
Replies
8
Views
2K
B Showing that formulae are invariant for all values in the domain
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Is there a list of root-power quantities? Or a rule of thumb?
Replies
14
Views
2K
A mathematical description of the physics behind Aurora?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Measured vs calculated quantities
Replies
8
Views
14K
I Division of a physical quantity
Replies
5
Views
1K
What are some basic physical notions that can be explained?
Replies
1
Views
529
B Can any physical quantity be vectorless?
Replies
26
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top