Speed of Light Since Big Bang: Evidence & Theory

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SUMMARY

The speed of light in a vacuum, denoted as 'c', has remained constant since the Big Bang, according to current theoretical and experimental evidence. Discussions highlight that it is not meaningful to question the constancy of universal constants like 'c' that possess units. Relevant resources include the Usenet Physics FAQ and papers such as Duff's "Comment on time-variation of fundamental constants," which provide further insights into this topic.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of universal constants in physics
  • Familiarity with the concept of the speed of light (c)
  • Basic knowledge of cosmology and the Big Bang theory
  • Awareness of theoretical physics literature and resources
NEXT STEPS
  • Read the Usenet Physics FAQ on constants at http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/ParticleAndNuclear/constants.html
  • Explore the discussion on time-variation of fundamental constants at http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/34874/has-the-speed-of-light-changed-over-time
  • Review Duff's paper "Comment on time-variation of fundamental constants" available at http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0208093
  • Investigate the implications of constant 'c' in modern physics theories
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, cosmologists, and students of theoretical physics interested in the constancy of universal constants and the implications of the speed of light since the Big Bang.

Bharath Siva
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Just wondering if the speed of light in vacuum has always been constant since the big bang. Is there any evidence (theoretical or experimental) that the speed of light could have been faster or slower in the early universe or just after the big bang? How about at the big bang itself? Was the speed of light exactly the same at the point of the big bang as it is now?
 
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It is not meaningful to ask whether a universal constant has changed over time if the constant is one like c that has units. For a more detailed discussion, see http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/34874/has-the-speed-of-light-changed-over-time and Duff, "Comment on time-variation of fundamental constants," http://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0208093 .

PeterDonis said:
This Usenet Physics FAQ article may be helpful:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/ParticleAndNuclear/constants.html

Also: http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/constants.html
 
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