What is the most important constant in physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the most important constant in physics, with participants sharing their opinions on various constants and their significance. The conversation touches on both physical and mathematical constants, exploring their roles in different contexts such as theoretical implications and practical applications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the question should be framed as "what is your favorite constant?" highlighting the subjective nature of importance.
  • One participant mentions the universal gravitation constant as significant.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of pi, noting its ubiquitous presence in various contexts and its nature as a constant of geometry.
  • There is a discussion about the distinction between mathematical constants like e and pi versus physical constants, with some arguing that e and pi hold more importance than physical constants.
  • A participant claims that e is the most significant constant, arguing that without charge, molecular interactions would not exist, affecting the very nature of matter.
  • Another participant questions the constancy of g, suggesting it varies with changes in mass, and speculates on the implications of living without gravity.
  • The fine structure constant (alpha) is mentioned as an important constant by one participant.
  • Planck's constant (h) and its reduced form (h-bar) are discussed, with some arguing for their fundamental importance in quantum theory.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the claim that c can be changed, prompting further discussion on the implications of setting c to 1 in theoretical frameworks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on which constant is the most important, with no consensus reached. Multiple competing views remain regarding the significance of various constants, including e, pi, c, g, and h.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the roles of constants in different theoretical frameworks and practical implications, but there are unresolved questions about the definitions and contexts in which these constants are considered important.

What is the most important constant in physics?

  • g

    Votes: 1 4.5%

  • e

    Votes: 2 9.1%

  • pi

    Votes: 8 36.4%

  • c (speed of light)

    Votes: 8 36.4%

  • other

    Votes: 3 13.6%
  • Total voters
    22
split
Messages
25
Reaction score
0
So, what is it?
 
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Let's make it "what is your favorite constant?" All of these constants are important for different reasons.
 
What about the universal gravitation constant?


Voted c.
 
Pi is great because it comes up everywhere. Pi is especially great on Thanksgiving... mmmm...
I have to agree with Ambitwistor. 0 and 1 are pretty important too, but they're not as natural as pi. By that I mean, pi is a constant of nature (if you consider geometry a part of nature). 0 and 1 we made up. If either were an option, I would have hesitated.
 
e and pi are not physical constants, they are mathematical constants. I suppose you could say that that makes them physical constants by default, but my point is that c, for instance, is NOT a mathematical constant. In that regard, I would have to say that e and pi are more important than any other physical constant, but that they are equally important to each other.
 
e is the most significant (e is the charge of an electron right?)

If there was not speed limit of nature it wouldn't really affect our lives as much if there was no charge then we would sink through the floor since the molecules wouldn't have a intermolecular relationship keeping them rigid, there would be no elements, no chemestry.

g isn't really a constant is it. as soon as we blast a spaceship off the planet, then the g of the planet is going to change ever so slightly since its mass has changed. Without g I am going to assume that by u mean g being important means that if it weren't existent there wud b no gravity.

We cud live without gravity quite happily, life wud be a bit more consvative.

Wow I am tired and off 2 bed
 
alpha, of course

fine structure constant.

JMD
 
What about h? h-bar? i?
 
Originally posted by FZ+
What about h? h-bar? i?

I agree, what about Planck's constant? Seems like an important constant to me.

P.S. h-bar is important but it is h/2pi(I think). So you would have to have that important constant pi to have h-bar. For this reason I would put pi above h-bar as a more important constant.
 
  • #10
Originally posted by Ambitwistor
In fact, hbar is really more fundamental than h; it's what appears in the canonical commutation relations which are the foundation of quantum theory. [/B]

Oh really? I didn't know that. I guess you learn something new everyday.
 
  • #11
due to the length contraction etc. you might think it's c

but length contraction seldom appears in real life
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #12
I think it's e (as I wrote before)

Look.
c can be changed, pi is used for circles and similar figures,
g variates and G is not included.

The right answer is e, cause e^ix = cos(x) + isin(x), D(e^x)= e^x etc.
e^i2(pi)= 1
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13


Originally posted by QuantumNet
c can be changed


How exactly do you change c? Sounds fishy to me.
 
  • #14


Originally posted by bdkeenan00
How exactly do you change c? Sounds fishy to me.

you put c to 1 and E = m and x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = t^2 etc.
 

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