1/137 - Physics' Greatest Mystery

Unlock the mysteries of the universe with the fine structure constant! Join us as we delve into the intriguing world of 1/137, a number that defines our existence and challenges our understanding of physics.

[georgegonzalez]

Arthur Eddington, in his time, this number was thought to be close to 136. Arthur was never hesitant to come up with fantastic guesses. He already had baldly surmised that there were 2^256 particles in the Universe. With scant evidence and a lot of babbling. So he came up with a cockamamie explanation for why 136 had to be this magic number. Embarrassingly in a few years better measurements showed it was more like 137. Not to stop Eddington, he quickly modified his explanation to fit the data. The humor magazine "Punch" started calling him "Arthur Adding-One". Nice.

[douglasstrother]

Arnold Sommerfeld's contributions to Physics and Mathematics are under-appreciated.
His work is one of the strong bridges between Classical and Quatum Physics.

[domp]

Alot of comments praising Simon and rightfully so. I would also like the thank the writers for these channels. Being able to simplify complex topics is very appreciated.

[Ray_of_Light]

Didn't mention it in the video, but the fine structure constant is used graphically in the golden disk onboard the Voyager spacecrafts as a unit of measure for any extraterrestrial intelligence to simply grasp the meaning of the messages on the disk. One of the messages is the position of the Earth in the Milky Way.
We sent the invitations, we are now waiting for the guests to come to the party...

[first_mm]

As an Engineer and hobbyist sci-fi writer now if I ever want to do a multiverse our universe will be the 137th universe!!

[terryenby]

I really am still loving the fun editing on these! Physics might not seem “sexy” to some people. But the fine editing and animation and layman’s language really helps improve science communication 🎉

Keep it up!

SciShow crossover When??

[whitercoin]

how am i supposed to keep up with your video's when you release so many at a time!! keep them coming!!

[QBCPerdition]

The universe is "fine-tuned" to us because we are fine-tuned to the universe.

If these constants were different, we wouldn't be here wondering why they are the way they are. If we assume there is a multiverse out there, then this conundrum just goes away. We exist in the universe (or universes) where we can exist, and we don't where we can't.

[bhgtree]

When I seen 1/137 in the title, I thought this was Simon's 1st of 137 physics videos and was thinking that by the end of the week he'd have the rest uploaded. 😂🤣
Thanks Simon and guys.

[atticuswalker]

incase you are interested. the fine structural constant is the distance between turns in the wavelength of mass. multiply it by 2 and you get the .14 from pi. which represents the distance in time mass moves as a circle from one moment to the next.

[rayoflight]

Hello Simon,
I may be biased, but this video on the fine structure constant may well be the best video you made.
You made everyone aware of a problem that every scientist ask themselves multiple times in a day.
That 1/137 number begs a question in every physicist's mind: "What we haven't understand about the Universe?" And the answers - ranging from the existence of a Creator to the possibility of a Multiverse, an extended number of answers and no criteria for selecting the right one, for what appears to be an endless quest.
You end the video by saying "Not to worry too much" - but believe me, it is an appeal going unheard. Mankind got out of the caves by asking apparently useless questions...
Greetings
Anthony

[cajltd]

Is it just me or is this channel just getting better and better?

[thedarkknight-]

How the hell can these dudes make videos about the world tearing itself apart and also about the fine structure constant.
Absolutely love it

[alxndr]

I love how simon can appear to know what he's on about. this simon seems so much smarter than the brain blaze simon

[endeemccauley]

Simon I keep randomly finding new channels of yours haha. You are by far the most prolific legitimate YouTuber ever.

[DuncanJohnMowbray-pzsg]

Thanks Simon, I just showed this video to my class of Quantum Mechanics II which was being introduced to the fine constant. Helped make my late Friday afternoon class much more interesting!

[dannyroberts]

"5.4 million furlongs per regulation hockey game" was a lovely nod to the hitchhiker's guide... We were all happy when we heard 42.. had to add some Adams humor too...🎩🛸

[ThomasDowning-udfz]

What s great literay reference when you said "No it's (the number ) not 42!!! I love it. Truly one of the great host on You tube!!! Your writers are amazing!!!! Always quality stuff!!! Thanks for your commitment to making good content !!! As always well done!!!

[jakkeni]

Simon by far is one the most universal youtuber I have seen on the platform, as much as I love your content, I do hope you take time for yourself

[pharmdiddy]

Excellent video!! Love the balance between plain language and enough tech talk to give a decent understanding 👍👍