Hatrack River Forum: Laws of physics vary throughout the universe, new study suggests

This is topic Laws of physics vary throughout the universe, new study suggests in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :

http://tiny.cc/3ywbw (tinied because the Hatrack wouldn't let me post the original for some reason...something to do with parentheses?)

quote:
A team of astrophysicists based in Australia and England has uncovered evidence that the laws of physics are different in different parts of the universe.

The team -- from the University of New South Wales, Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Cambridge -- has submitted a report of the discovery for publication in the journal Physical Review Letters. A preliminary version of the paper is currently under peer review.

The report describes how one of the supposed fundamental constants of Nature appears not to be constant after all. Instead, this 'magic number' known as the fine-structure constant -- 'alpha' for short -- appears to vary throughout the universe.

"After measuring alpha in around 300 distant galaxies, a consistency emerged: this magic number, which tells us the strength of electromagnetism, is not the same everywhere as it is here on Earth, and seems to vary continuously along a preferred axis through the universe," Professor John Webb from the University of New South Wales said.

, if true.

Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :

What are the implications if that is true? I don't have the expertise to really understand what that means.

Posted by Anthonie (Member # 884) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Juxtapose:
, if true.

Seconded! Egad!

Posted by Anthonie (Member # 884) on :

quote:
Originally posted by BlackBlade:
What are the implications if that is true? I don't have the expertise to really understand what that means.

I think that if, in fact, the laws of physics differ throughout the universe, it would mean that the Klingon cloaking devices on Star Trek would not be realistic.

[Big Grin]

Posted by T:man (Member # 11614) on :

quote:
Originally posted by BlackBlade:
What are the implications if that is true? I don't have the expertise to really understand what that means.

Haven't read the article but it could mean time travel is more realistic, large masses push you away, whatever.

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

Well, let's see. For one thing it means that humans would not survive in those galaxies, if the difference is at all large; biochemistry
would work differently. Of greater importance philosophically, the speed of light would be different, which is not supposed to be possible; that would mean rethinking both special and general relativity. It may be a hint towards how we can unify the forces, and also towards the correct theory of quantum gravity.

If true, this is the New Physics that we've been looking for since the November Revolution; the paradigm shift that dethrones Einstein, who is not forgotten, just as he did to Newton, whom we remember.

Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :

If the physical constants of the Universe are not constant, this implies that momentum and energy are not truly conserved properties (at least according to Feinman).

Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :

More info

Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :

I'd guess it means that those folks haven't read any physics papers since college, and as few as possible in that way back when.
Try googling cosmological birefringence and the Great Attractor, the axes of which just happen to lie perpendicularly to each other.

[ September 11, 2010, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: aspectre ]

Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Anthonie:

quote:
Originally posted by BlackBlade:
What are the implications if that is true? I don't have the expertise to really understand what that means.
I think that if, in fact, the laws of physics differ throughout the universe, it would mean that the Klingon cloaking devices on Star Trek would not be realistic.

Indeed. The statutes regarding interstellar travel vary by jurisdiction, especially outside of Federation space.

--j_k

[ September 12, 2010, 01:46 PM: Message edited by: James Tiberius Kirk ]

Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :

I'd be more curious as to why. What forces act upon the "laws" of physics themselves?

Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :

quote:
Originally posted by James Tiberius Kirk:

quote:
Originally posted by Anthonie:

quote:
Originally posted by BlackBlade:
What are the implications if that is true? I don't have the expertise to really understand what that means.
I think that if, in fact, the laws of physics differ throughout the universe, it would mean that the Klingon cloaking devices on Star Trek would not be realistic.

Indeed. The statutes regarding interstellar travel vary by jurisdiction, especially outside of Federation space.

--j_k

But ya cannae break the laws of physics Cap'n...

Posted by Geraine (Member # 9913) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sterling:
I'd be more curious as to why. What forces act upon the "laws" of physics themselves?

With this question, you sir have just blown my mind. [Angst]

Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sterling:
I'd be more curious as to why. What forces act upon the "laws" of physics themselves?

None forces. If you read the article, or even the summary, what's happening is that certain psychics constants appear to differ slightly in far away galaxies.

Posted by Geraine (Member # 9913) on :

quote:
Originally posted by El JT de Spang:

quote:
Originally posted by Sterling:
I'd be more curious as to why. What forces act upon the "laws" of physics themselves?
None forces. If you read the article, or even the summary, what's happening is that certain psychics constants appear to differ slightly in far away galaxies.

I hope you meant physics and not psychics...Though Psychic constants governing the universe would be pretty epic. Sounds like a decent premise for a book..

Posted by The Reader (Member # 3636) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Sterling:
I'd be more curious as to why. What forces act upon the "laws" of physics themselves?

A Universal Parliament?