The Constants of Nature: The Numbers That Encode the Deepest Secrets of the Universe

In order to explain physical reality, physicists measure and determine physical quantities/parameters/information related to the object/subject in question using well defined laws such as; the laws of classical physics (theory relativity), quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics. Physicists do not know the details of all the laws, and their interpretations/explanations often vary, but the physical laws themselves are the same across the universe. Einstein's principle of covariance states that laws of nature should appear the same for all observers in the universe no matter where they are located or how they are moving. The equations and the fundamental constants that write these laws are universal, but as physicists try to explain how the universe works, it is increasingly becoming apparent to a few physicists that some fundamental constants such as the speed of light (c), fine-structure constant, proton-electron mass ratio, and gravity (G) have changed over the last 13.7 billion light years.The author chronicles the historical development in the physics research of universal constant and touches upon the most fundamental part of creation. How do these constants that are a part of an equation could have impacted a functional universe that supports life? Mathematician Ramanujan once said that "An equation has no meaning unless it expresses the thought of God." The dimensionless constant is certainly the thought of God. Time variation of fundamental constants is subjected to theoretical and experimental research by a number of physicists such as; Arthur Eddington, Paul Dirac, George Gamow, Robert Dicke, Brendan Carter and others. The fine-structure constant was originally introduced in 1916 by Arnold Sommerfeld, as a measure of the relativistic deviations in atomic spectral lines of the Bohr's atomic model. This constsnt is interpreted as a measure of electromagnetic force that holds the atoms together or the strength of the interaction between electrons and photons; the ratio of two energies, the energy needed to bring two electrons from infinity to a distance against their electrostatic repulsion, and the energy of a single photon. It is also defined as the ratio of the strengths of the electromagnetic and gravitational interactions. This constant is a dimensionless quantity (1/137.035999679); hence its numerical value is independent of the system of units used. Many physicists have wondered why God would have created such an odd number for this constant (value of Pi is another example.) One explanation is the cosmological evolution of a quintessence-like scalar field coupled to gauge fields and matter would have effectively modified the coupling constants and particle masses over time. However, the anthropic principle states that the value of the fine-structure is what it is because stable matter could not have existed in the universe if that was any other number. In other words, galaxies, stars, planetary systems and life forms would not have evolved. For instance, if this constsnt was changed by 4%, carbon and oxygen would not have been produced in stars.Since fine-structure constant is present wherever electromagnetism is, it is determined by various methods from atomic spectra. One is by analyzing the atomic spectra of distant galaxies and stars. The second one is the natural reactor of Oklo has been used to check if the atomic fine-structure constant might have changed over the past 2 billion years. That is because it influences the rate of nuclear reactions. For example, Samarium(149) captures a neutron to become Samarium(150), and since the rate of neutron capture depends on the value of this constant, the ratio of the two samarium isotopes in samples from Oklo can be used to calculate the value of this constant that existed 2 billion years ago. The results are conflicting and it is not clear if these constant are changing. Despite the fact that this book has many irrelevant quotations from unorthodox figures such as; Joan Rivers, Woody Allen, Brooke Shields, W.C. Fields, and George Bush, it is highly recommended.1.  The Cosmology of Extra Dimensions and Varying Fundamental Constants 2.  The Role of Neutrinos, Strings, Gravity and Variable Cosmological Constant in Elementary Particle Physics 3.  Cosmic Jackpot: Why Our Universe Is Just Right for Life 4.  The Constants of Nature: From Alpha to Omega--the Numbers That Encode the Deepest Secrets of the Universe 5.  FINE STRUCTURE CONSTANT AND FRAGMENTATION OF THE ELECTRON AND THE INTERCOSMIC RELATIONS.

This book is growing a bit old (2003) by the standards of cosmology in 2020, but I believe there has been little change, other than refinement, to the mystery and magnitude of the "cosmological constants" since it was written. Barrow here covers very much more than the narrow subject of the constants. He discusses also other aspects of the universe, its structure, age, the regularity of its laws, and all this from the viewpoint of implications for life and ultimately consciousness. The book has copious end notes and references. The technical science is well cited, but doesn't interfere with the flow of the subject as Barrow writes it. It is a tale well told and worth a read, even if as a refresher.My only quibble is technical as concerns the kindle edition. In most of the discussion and formula scattered about the text (nothing too complicated here, definitions, quantities, and setting boundary conditions) some of the common symbols of physics (pi, the fine-structure constant, and a few others) are rendered only as "?" most, but not all, of the time. This is very annoying to say the least. The editors should have been paying more attention!Another very good cover of these same subjects can be found in the slightly more recent "The Goldilocks Enigma" by Paul Davies, 2007. Either would be an excellent non-technical introduction to the subject.

I have read and re-read this book at least 5 times since I bought my first copy in 2003. Each time, a new insight or deeper understanding has emerged. I gave my first copy away and had to replace it because I wanted to re-read it again..Chapters 6, "The Mystery of the Very Large Numbers, " 7, "Biology and the Stars," and 8, "The Anthropic Principle" blew me away the first time I read it, and still do. Even though the subject matter is heavy, Barrow writes with a breezy style that makes it read like an historical adventure novel. I highly recommend it to the non-mathematician who wants to understand the true role of The Numbers in the Universe we inhabit and observe.

This was an entertaining book but a little tedious at times. Also it was not exactly what I expected. I thought it would be more of a description of different physical phenomena, while this is more like a survey of different historical approaches to uniting all constants with one theory, which constantly failed but shed light on many side issues along the way.

This review applies only to the Kindle edition.The author discusses formulas that use Greek letters as symbols. The ebook inserts question marks where the Greek letters should be, making it impossible to discern what the author is attempting to express. This reflects utter carelessness and disregard on the part of the publisher. This problem should have been caught in proofreading.The publisher owes every reader an apology.

Well research but revealed nothing new or fundamentally significant.

Waaaay over my head!

excellent reference book