Fundamental Constants Quotes

“When I die, my first question to the devil will be:
What is the meaning of the fine structure constant?”
― Wolfgang Pauli

“there are no arbitrary constants ... nature is so constituted that it is possible logically to lay down such strongly determined laws that within these laws only rationally determined constants occur (not constants, therefore, whose numerical value could be changed without destroying the theory).”
― Albert Einstein , Autobiographical Notes

“True, the Standard Model does explain a very great deal. Nevertheless it is not yet a proper theory, principally because it does not satisfy the physicists naive faith in elegance and simplicity. It involves some 17 allegedly fundamental particles and the same number of arbitrary and tunable parameters, such as the fine-structure constants, the muon-electron mass ratio and the various mysterious mixing angles.”
― Sheldon L. Glashow, The Charm of Physics: Collected Essays of Sheldon Glashow

“Fine Structure Constant: Fundamental numerical constant of atomic physics and quantum electrodynamics, defined as the square of the charge of the electron divided by the product of Planck's constant and the speed of light.”
― Steven Weinberg, The First Three Minutes: A Modern View of the Origin of the Universe

“The fine-structure constant derives its name from its origin. It first appeared in Sommerfeld's work to explain the fine details of the hydrogen spectrum. ... Since Sommerfeld expressed the energy states of the hydrogen atom in terms of the constant [alpha], it came to be called the fine-structure constant.”
― John S. Rigden, Hydrogen: The Essential Element

“The fine-structure constant is ubiquitous throughout physics. I’ve already noted its connection to the electromagnetic interaction. In atomic physics, the binding energy, fine-structure splitting, and Lamb shift are all proportional to powers of α. In condensed matter physics, α characterizes Josephson junction oscillations and quantum Hall resistance steps. In addition, α is an important component of our system of fundamental constants. [Physics Today]”
― Gerald Gabrielse

“The Golden Mean was considered a fundamental constant by the Egyptians and the fundamental division of the whole into two parts.”
― Richard Heath, Sacred Number and the Origins of Civilization: The Unfolding of History Through the Mystery of Number