Speed of light and chemical properties

In summary, a change in the speed of light or the universal constant "c" would not have a significant effect on the chemical properties of atoms as long as the change is small. However, a change in the fine structure constant, which is a unitless parameter, would result in observable differences in atomic energy levels and chemical reactions. The claim that the fine structure constant varies over time is still under debate, and even if it is true, it does not necessarily implicate "c" as the cause.
  • #1
entropy1
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If the speed of light were (slightly) different, how would that affect the chemical properties of atoms, if so?
 
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  • #2
Probably not very much. Photon transit time at the atomic level is essentially instantaneous.
 
  • #3
If LIGHT traveled at a different speed? Or if the velocity known as "c" was different? (Maybe I'm being to detailed here, if so sorry)
Either way I don't think there would be a big difference as long as the change was very small.
 
  • #4
It only makes sense to talk about changing a universal constant if the constant is unitless. (See the paper by Duff below.) The speed of light has a defined value in the SI, for example, so it's not possible to measure it. The relevant unitless parameter would be the fine structure constant. The FAQ below is about time-variation of the fine structure constant, but it also applies to the OP's question.

Essentially the answer to the OP's question is that the only change of this type that would have observable results would be a change in the fine structure constant. A change in the fine structure constant would change atomic energy levels and make chemistry different. Yes, it would change the behavior of chemical reactions.

FAQ: Has the fine structure constant changed over cosmological timescales?

It has been claimed based on astronomical observations that the unitless fine-structure constant alpha=e^2/hbar*c actually varies over time, rather than being fixed.[Webb 2001] This claim is probably wrong, since later attempts to reproduce the observations failed.[Chand 2004] Webb et al. responded with even more extraordinary claims that the fine structure constant varied over the celestial sphere.[Webb 2010] Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof, and Webb et al. have not supplied that; their results are at the margins of statistical significance compared to their random and systematic errors.

Even if this claim it is correct, it is not evidence that c is changing, as is sometimes stated in the popular press. If an experiment is to test whether a fundamental constant is really constant, the constant must be unitless.[Duff 2002] If the fine-structure constant does vary, there is no empirical way to assign blame to c as opposed to hbar or e.

J.K. Webb et al., arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0012539v3

J.K. Webb et al., http://arxiv.org/abs/1008.3907

H. Chand et al., Astron. Astrophys. 417: 853

Duff, http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0208093
 

FAQ: Speed of light and chemical properties

1. What is the speed of light?

The speed of light is a physical constant that represents the speed at which electromagnetic radiation travels in a vacuum. It is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s) or 186,282 miles per second (mi/s).

2. How does the speed of light affect chemical reactions?

The speed of light does not directly affect chemical reactions, as they occur at a much slower rate. However, the energy from light can be used to initiate or accelerate certain types of reactions, such as photosynthesis in plants.

3. Can the speed of light be exceeded by chemical substances?

No, the speed of light is considered to be the ultimate speed limit in the universe and cannot be exceeded by any form of matter or energy.

4. How does the speed of light impact the color of chemical substances?

The color of a substance is determined by the wavelengths of light that it absorbs and reflects. The speed of light affects the wavelength of light, which in turn affects the color we perceive. For example, when light passes through a prism, it is separated into different colors due to the different wavelengths being refracted at different angles.

5. Does the speed of light have any connection to the chemical properties of elements?

While the speed of light is not directly connected to chemical properties, it does play a role in the study of atoms and their behavior. The speed of light is used in equations such as the Rydberg formula and the Schrödinger equation to describe the energy levels and behavior of electrons in atoms.

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