Physics/Astronomy Questions for Sci-Fi Story

[Punoqllads]

@dwalin

Indeed, my only thought was to make it somewhat familiar to the reader; I labor under no illusions that constellations have any real existence.

To those working on my lightspeed question, I’m basically asking if lightspeed is ruled by its own fundamental law or if the other laws have any effect. For example, would strengthening electromagnetism make light travel at a different speed? See, this is one of my basic assumptions for the story, and I’d really rather not have to do something else.

Well, Maxwell’s equations show that the speed of light relates to the electric and magnetic forces: c[sub]0[/sub] = 1/√ε[sub]0[/sub]μ[sub]0[/sub]

Here, c[sub]0[/sub] is the speed of light in a vacuum, &949;[sub]0[/sub] is the permittivity of a vacuum, and &956;[sub]0[/sub] is the permeability of a vacuum. The permittivity coefficient relates to the strength of the electrical force, and the permeability relates to the strength of the magnetic force, if my memories of second semester physics are correct. Perhaps someone with more knowledge can explain more.

@dwalin

Indeed, my only thought was to make it somewhat familiar to the reader; I labor under no illusions that constellations have any real existence.

To those working on my lightspeed question, I’m basically asking if lightspeed is ruled by its own fundamental law or if the other laws have any effect. For example, would strengthening electromagnetism make light travel at a different speed? See, this is one of my basic assumptions for the story, and I’d really rather not have to do something else.

Well, Maxwell’s equations show that the speed of light is directly related to the electric and magnetic forces: c[sub]0[/sub] = 1/√ε[sub]0[/sub]μ[sub]0[/sub]

Here, c[sub]0[/sub] is the speed of light in a vacuum, ε[sub]0[/sub] is the permittivity of a vacuum, and μ[sub]0[/sub] is the permeability of a vacuum. The permittivity coefficient relates to the strength of the electrical force, and the permeability relates to the strength of the magnetic force, if my memories of second semester physics are correct. Perhaps someone with more knowledge can explain more.

[Captain_Carrot]

@Exapno Mapcase

I guess I still don’t understand what you’re asking.

When you say strengthening electromagnetism, do you mean changing the relative strength of electromagnetic attraction compared with the strengths of the other three forces? The old “gravity is 10[sup]-42[/sup] times as strong” business?

If so, that would be a field strength change in QED - Quantum Electrodynamics. I don’t believe C enters into any of the basic equations, so that would not change.

Yeah, more or less. I guess that’s a good explanation; although I might increase the strengths of all 4 forces at one point.

[spingears]

@dwalin

2. How is the speed of light affected by quantum mechanics and/or the four basic forces of the universe? (Gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear, weak nuclear)

Some research indicates that the speed of light may not be a constant. See:
<http://www.ldolphin.org/constc.shtml>