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What is a physical constant?
What is a physical constant?
A physical constant is a physical quantity that is believed to be both universal in nature and have a constant value in time.
What is the difference between a physical constant and a mathematical constant?
What is the difference between a physical constant and a mathematical constant?
A physical constant directly involves a physical measurement, while a mathematical constant has a fixed numerical value.
Name five widely recognized physical constants.
Name five widely recognized physical constants.
The speed of light in vacuum (c), the gravitational constant (G), the Planck constant (h), the electric constant (ε0), and the elementary charge (e).
What is the dimension of the speed of light in vacuum?
What is the dimension of the speed of light in vacuum?
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What does the term 'fundamental physical constant' refer to?
What does the term 'fundamental physical constant' refer to?
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Study Notes
Physical Constants
- A physical constant is a physical quantity that is generally believed to be both universal in nature and constant in time.
- Physical constants are key in formulating physical laws and theories that describe the behavior of the universe.
Differences between Physical and Mathematical Constants
- Physical constants are measurable quantities in nature, with dimensions and specific values, such as the speed of light or gravitational constant.
- Mathematical constants, like π (pi) or e (Euler's number), are purely numerical values that arise from mathematical relationships and have no dependence on physical measurement.
Widely Recognized Physical Constants
- Speed of light in vacuum (c): approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.
- Gravitational constant (G): approximately 6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ N(m/kg)².
- Planck's constant (h): approximately 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s.
- Elementary charge (e): approximately 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ coulombs.
- Boltzmann constant (k): approximately 1.381 × 10⁻²³ J/K.
Dimension of the Speed of Light
- The dimension of the speed of light in vacuum is represented as length per time, typically in meters per second (m/s).
Fundamental Physical Constant
- A fundamental physical constant is a physical constant that has universal significance and appears in fundamental equations of physics, indicating natural laws and principles that apply throughout the universe.
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Description
Test your knowledge of physical constants with this quiz! From the speed of light to Planck's constant, challenge yourself to identify and understand these fundamental quantities that shape our understanding of the universe.
