Were the Fundamental Constants of Physics Different in the Early Universe?From MicaWere the Fundamental Constants of Physics Different in the Early Universe? Dr. Rob Knop May 15, 2010, 10AM PST 1800 GMT at the MICA Large Amphitheater There are some fundamental constants, parameters of physics, that set how our world works. The mass of the electron, the mass of the proton, the strenght of the electric force, the strenght of gravity, the speed of light, and others. Some theories that try to unify gravity with quantum mechanics suggest that perhaps the values of these constants have been slowly changing over time. Astronomers are uniquely able to test this, because by looking at very distant objects, they are looking back in time-- as the light from those objects may take billions of years to reach us. In this talk, I'll explain how astronomers have tried to look for changes over time in the fundamental physical constants, and tell you about the (inconclusive) results. Media |