The Constants of Nature: The Numbers That Encode the Deepest Secrets of the UniverseReality as we know it is bound by a set of constants—numbers and values that dictate the strengths of forces like gravity, the speed of light, and the masses of elementary particles. In The Constants of Nature, Cambridge Professor and bestselling author John D.Barrow takes us on an exploration of these governing principles. Drawing on physicists such as Einstein and Planck, Barrow illustrates with stunning clarity our dependence on the steadfastness of these principles. But he also suggests that the basic forces may have been radically different during the universe’s infancy, and suggests that they may continue a deeply hidden evolution. Perhaps most tantalizingly, Barrow theorizes about the realities that might one day be found in a universe with different parameters than our own. |
Contents
5 | |
13 | |
Planck gets real | 28 |
The Quest for a Theory | 53 |
Eddingtons Unfinished Symphony | 77 |
The Mystery of the Very Large Numbers | 97 |
Biology and the Stars | 119 |
The Anthropic Principle | 141 |
Other editions - View all
The Constants of Nature: The Numbers That Encode the Deepest Secrets of the ... John Barrow No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
A.S. Eddington accelerated allow Anthropic Principle appear argument astronomical atoms Big Crunch billion years ago black holes carbon complexity constants of Nature cosmic history cosmological create define density Dicke's dimensions of space Dirac Earth Eddington Einstein electricity electron evolution exist expansion extra dimensions extraterrestrial Figure fine structure constant forces of Nature fundamental galaxies Gamow gravity Hoyle human idea inflation J.D. Barrow Large Number coincidences laws of Nature length London look mass mathematical matter measure metre molecules neutrons Newton's nuclear reactions nucleus number of dimensions numerology observations Oklo Oklo reactor Oxford particles Phys physicists physics Planck planets possible predict proton pure numbers quantities quantum quasars radiation reactor redshift Rosenthal-Schneider scientific scientists speed of light standards stars Stoney structure constant t(star temperature Theory of Everything things three dimensions tion uranium vacuum energy values variation vary virtual histories visible universe