F A O Claretgold......the Importance Of 137.....

[ToraToraTora]

Your input on the FTL thread has encoraged me to ask if you can perhaps enhance my understanding of the importance of the famous 137 (actually 137.04 2dps), often touted as the most magical number in the universe. Now I know it's reciprocal is some sort ratio to do with atomic interactions with the EM force but how was it arived at? Is there an everyday example of its use that helps understanding? Anything you feel relevant most welcome, no rush.

[ToraToraTora]

Don't worry your pretty little head me old china.

[ToraToraTora]

gawd they are trolling science now.

[Buenchico]

https://bigthink.com/hard-science/number-137-physics/

[ToraToraTora]

thanks to the mod that cleared out the trollsketeers most welcome.

[ToraToraTora]

17:25, yes I have seen that but what I'd like to know is what is the calc that yeilds that ratio. eg for Pi it's the number of times the diameter fits into the circumference. We all know that, so what is the euquivalent inputs for 1/137?

[Buenchico]

A little light reading for you, TTT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fine-structure_constant

[ToraToraTora]

...helpful, thanks

[ClareTG0ld]

If that article's not enough, and you have follow-up questions, I'll get back to you on the weekend at some point.

[ToraToraTora]

yes I can see the calculation, mostly constants. Thanks.

[THECORBYLOON]

I see from that link the, "constant" of ≈ 1/137 can increase to ≈ 1/127.

 

[ClareTG0ld]

Indeed -- and further still!

[ToraToraTora]

19:28, yes, with the variance of e.

[beso]

There is no evidence at all to suggest that the fine structure constant bears any meaningful relationship to 137. It could just be a coincidence.

However there are other integers that do bear special relationships that cause odd combinations of irrarional numbers to resolve very close to integers. 

They are related to the Golden Ratio.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heegner_number