Related papers: The physical basis of natural units and truly fund…
Defined by Lord Kelvin as the science of measurement it is described a fundamental fact of physics. The so called `natural' units represent the unique system of units conveniently used in the realm of High Energy Physics. The system of…
The paper firstly argues from conservation principles that, when dealing with physics aside from elementary particle interactions, the number of naturally independent quantities, and hence the minimum number of base quantities within a unit…
We consider fundamental physical constants which are among a few of the most important pieces of information we have learned about Nature after its intensive centuries-long studies. We discuss their multifunctional role in modern physics…
The problem of fundamental units is discussed in the context of achievements of both theoretical physics and modern metrology. On one hand, due to fascinating accuracy of atomic clocks, the traditional macroscopic standards of metrology…
I argue that the laws of physics should be independent of one's choice of units or measuring apparatus. This is the case if they are framed in terms of dimensionless numbers such as the fine structure constant, alpha. For example, the…
The launch in 2019 of the new international system of units is an opportunity to highlight the key role that the fundamental laws of physics and chemistry play in our lives and in all the processes of basic research, industry and commerce.…
We study the properties of fundamental physical constants using the threefold classification of dimensional constants proposed by J.-M. L{\'e}vy-Leblond: constants of objects (masses, etc.), constants of phenomena (coupling constants), and…
We provide an overview of the fundamental units of physical quantities determined naturally by the values of fundamental constants of nature. We discuss a comparison between the 'Planck units', now widely used in theoretical physics and the…
Planck units are natural physical scales of mass, length and time, built with the help of the fundamental constants $\hbar, c, G$. The functional role of the constants used for the construction of Planck units is different. If the first two…
Plans are underway to redefine the International System of Units (SI) around 2018. The New SI specifies the values of certain physical constants to define units. This article explains the New SI in a way that could be used to present it to…
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…
Here we discuss direct links of the number of fundamental dimensions to the fundamental natural constants using simple arguments of dimensional analysis \corr{based on Maxwell's dimensions length (L), time (T) and mass (M) as well as the…
A simple procedure for restoring the constants in physical equations is introduced by a consistent consideration of the correspondence between the symbols representing physical quantities and pairs formed by numerical values and unit…
We revisit, qualify, and objectively resolve the seemingly controversial question about what is the number of dimensional fundamental constants in Nature. For this purpose, we only assume that all we can directly measure are space and time…
Fundamental constants are a cornerstone of the physical laws. Any constant varying in space and/or time would signal a violation of local position invariance and be associated with a violation of the universality of free fall, and hence of…
We briefly review the various contexts within which one might address the issue of ``why'' the dimensionless constants of Nature have the particular values that they are observed to have. Both the general historical trend, in physics, of…
Advantages and disadvantages of fixation of fundamental physical constants' values for definition of SI units are considered. The case with a new definition of the mass unit on the base of a fixed value of the Avogadro constant is studied…
The International System of Units (SI) is supposed to be coherent. That is, when a combination of units is replaced by an equivalent unit, there is no additional numerical factor. Here we consider dimensionless units as defined in the SI,…
We discuss how the likely 2018 redefinition of the SI system of units might affect the ability of students to understand the link between the units and the new system. The likely redefinition will no longer define a set of base units, but…
We explore the mathematical foundations of the vector space of physical dimensions introduced in A. Maksymowicz, Am. J. Phys. 44, 1976, and extend this formalism to the vector space of physical values. As different unit systems correspond…