Dependence of macrophysical phenomena on the values of the fundamental constants
- 20 December 1983
- journal article
- Published by The Royal Society in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences
- Vol. 310 (1512) , 323-336
- https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.1983.0094
Abstract
Using simple arguments, we consider how the fundamental constants determine the scales of various macroscopic phenomena, including the properties of solid matter; the distinction between rocks, asteroids, planets, and stars; the conditions on habitable planets; the length of the day and year; and the size and athletic ability of human beings. Most of the results, where testable, are accurate to within a couple of orders of magnitude.Keywords
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