Which Are the Fundamental Universal Constants?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter w.shockley
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fundamental Universal
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
w.shockley
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
Which are the Fundamental Universal Costants?
With "Fundamental" i mean the ones that are not obtainable from others:
for example, the light speed c is not fundamental, because is 1/sqrt(epsilon0 mu0)...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It depends on which system of units you are using.
Some of the constants that are now fundamental will probably NOT be fundamental and vice versa once the SI is updated in a few years time.
And c IS fundamental in the SI, whereas epsilon_0 is not.
 
Hi w.shockley! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Actually, all the constants you mention have defined values nowadays.
μ0 has always been a mathematical constant (afaik).
c has been defined as a specific constant.
And in turn ε0 has become a defined constant as well.

For more information, see for instance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_constant