Physicists Propose Universe Could Be Described With Just One Constant: Time
SÃO CARLOS, BRAZIL – A new study published in Nature Scientific Reports suggests a radical simplification of how we understand the universe: it might potentially be possible to define all physical quantities using only a single basic constant - time.Researchers at the São Carlos Institute of Physics at the University of São Paulo, along with collaborators, propose that, within the framework of relativistic spacetime, the need for conventional units like length and mass could be fundamentally bypassed.
The research builds on the concept of minkowski spacetime, where space and time are inextricably linked, unlike the traditional Galilean view where ”space and time are distinct and separate from each other,” according to the study’s authors. In Galilean physics, rulers and clocks are both essential for measurement, but the team argues that in relativity, “clocks are sufficient.”
“this is because in relativity, space and time are so interrelated that a single unit is sufficient to describe all quantities,” explained researcher Matsas. “High-precision clocks, such as the atomic clocks used today, are capable of meeting all measurement needs.”
the team leverages a clock experiment initially proposed by Canadian physicist Bill Unruh. This experiment involves two observers at either end of a rod,utilizing synchronized clocks to effectively define length. By sending a clock between the observers and accounting for time dilation due to velocity – a core tenet of relativity - length can be persistent without referencing any other constant, such as the speed of light.
Ultimately, the researchers suggest that any unit of measurement could be expressed in terms of seconds, currently defined as “the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the cesium-133 atom.”
While the findings are groundbreaking,the researchers emphasize that this doesn’t mean existing constants will disappear from practical use. “Historically, based on a standardization effort adopted during the French Revolution (1789-1799), the kilogram was defined as the mass of one liter of pure water at a given pressure and temperature,” noted Daniel Vanzella of the São Carlos Institute of Physics. “In practical terms, it’s very convenient to have a mass standard, but from a fundamental point of view, it’s not necessary.” He further explained that mass is fundamentally defined by the acceleration of an object due to gravitational attraction.
The study represents a significant theoretical shift, suggesting a potentially more elegant and unified understanding of the universe’s fundamental building blocks.
