September 9, 2010 - Laws of physics differ throughout universe, study suggests
An astrophysicist group from England and Australia has found evidence that the laws of physics differ in different parts of the universe.
The researchers, which are from the University of New South Wales, the University of Cambridge and Swinburne University of Technology, has submitted a report of their findings to the Physical Review Letters journal. The original version of the paper is currently under peer review.
In their report, the team of scientists explains how the fundamental constants of Nature may actually not be constant at all. This constant 'number', which is known as alpha, or the fine-structure constant, seems to vary throughout the universe, instead of being the 'constant' it was thought to be.
Professor John Webb from the University of New South Wales explains that, "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,"
Webb goes on to say that if the laws of physics are only 'local by-laws', it could mean that the part of the universe we can observe favors life existence and humans, but other farther regions could exist where the formation of life depends on another set of physics laws. "If our results are correct, clearly we shall need new physical theories to satisfactorily describe them." He added.
The researchers used the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile and the telescopes at the Hawaiian Keck Observatory to get their measurements. They saw a smaller alpha number looking north to distant galaxies, while a larger alpha was observed when looking south.
The alpha only varies by a small amount, but the scientists believe that it's possible that much larger variations can take place beyond the horizon of our observable universe.
If this is correct, Dr. Michael Murphy from Swinburne University says that a better and deeper theory of physics may have to be implemented.
"While a 'varying constant' would shake our understanding of the world around us extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. What we're finding is extraordinary, no doubt about that." Murphy said.
One of the biggest questions of modern science has been whether the laws of physics are the same throughout the universe, and up until now it was believed that they possibly were. But now, scientists may be closer to finding an answer if this new finding is correct.
Materials for this article provided by Swinburne University of Technology.
For more Science News click here, You can also subscribe to receive updates every time there is an article published.
Comments
"One-sided Understanding of the Concept of "Relativity of Energy"
The fact is, as all physicists know, energy is a relative concept. Until now, this relativity grappled in quantitative determinations. For example, the potential energy of a body with mass M at the same time can be zero with respect to the place where it is and can be significantly greater than zero with respect to the lower places, etc. .. The same can be said of its kinetic energy, i.e. in relation to what frame of reference, we measure its speed, so it is at one and the same time can be 0 or significantly greater than zero. This logic of reasoning is valid and extends to the charge. We can talk about the energy of definite charge that its potential energy is greater, less or equal to zero, depending on the static field in which we have put this charge. The modern definition of energy is confined by this understanding.
But this relative definition of energy is not exhausted. In addition to this relative quantitative characterization of energy in the reference systems there is its relative quality characteristic in the reference systems, which produces the same magical effect on the amount of energy as well as quantitative characteristics...
Read my full article at
sites.google.com/site/socialcapital1/Home/
Physics Laws May Vary Throughout Calactic Clusters
2010 Rethink Astronomy And The Universe
A. Physics laws vary throughout the universe
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/chancellery/mediacentre/media-centre/news/20...
Not "exactly" so. Not throughout the universe, maybe yes throughout the galactic clusters.
B. Rethink Astronomy And The Universe
Rethink Astronomy And The Universe.
even without Quantum Unique Ergodicity, but with plain commonsense.
Galactic clusters formed by dispersion, not by conglomeration. The proof of this is their behaviour, including acceleration, as Newtonian bodies.
These bodies formed at the start of inflation, when all energy was still in mass format, and the inflation was the start of reconversion of cosmic mass into energy. Cosmic expansion acceleration rate differs for each galactic cluster, proceeding according to Newton's laws, proportional to the various galactic clusters' masses.
All mass formats (not just life) are subject to natural selection.
Natural selection is delaying conversion of mass to the energy fueling cosmic expansion.
Cosmic expansion is reconversion of all mass to energy.
Evolution derives from the processes of mass-to-energy reconversion. The routes and rates of evolution vary with the rates of the reconversion, which - in turn - vary with the masses of the galactic clusters.
Dov Henis
(Comments From The 22nd Century)
http://www.the-scientist.com/community/user/profile/1655.page
Cosmic Evolution Simplified
http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/list/240/122.page#4427
Seed of Human-Chimp Genomes Diversity
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2SF3CJJM5OU6T27OC4MFQSDYEU/blog/articles/53079
Evolution, Natural Selection, Derive From Cosmic Expansion
http://darwiniana.com/2010/09/05/the-question-reductionists-fear/
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!