English

Physical dimensions/units and universal constants: their invariance in special and general relativity

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2019-02-04 v3 High Energy Physics - Theory Atomic Physics

Abstract

The theory of physical dimensions and units in physics is outlined. This includes a discussion of the universal applicability and superiority of quantity equations. The International System of Units (SI) is one example thereof. By analyzing mechanics and electrodynamics, we are naturally led, besides the dimensions of length and time, to the fundamental units of action h\mathfrak h, electric charge qq, and magnetic flux ϕ\phi. We have q×ϕ=actionq\times \phi=\text{action} and q/ϕ=1/resistanceq/\phi=1/\text{resistance}. These results of \emph{classical physics} suggests to look into the corresponding quantum aspects of qq and ϕ\phi (and also of h\mathfrak h): The electric charge occurs exclusively in elementary charges ee, whereas the magnetic flux can have any value; in specific situations, however, in superconductors of type II at very low temperatures, ϕ\phi appears quantized in the form of fluxons (Abrikosov vortices). And h\mathfrak{h} leads, of course, to the Planck quantum hh. Thus, we are directed to superconductivity and, because of the resistance, to the quantum Hall effect. In this way, the Josephson and the quantum Hall effects come into focus quite naturally. One goal is to determine the behavior of the fundamental constants in special and in general relativity, that is, if gravity is thought to be switched off versus the case in the gravitational field.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1810.03569,
  title  = {Physical dimensions/units and universal constants: their invariance in special and general relativity},
  author = {Friedrich W. Hehl and Claus Lämmerzahl},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1810.03569},
  year   = {2019}
}

Comments

31 pages in LaTex, 2 figures, slightly revised, references added, compatible with published version, includes all titles in the bibliography