3 ms·

I think it does. Whatever our choice of units (provided you use the same choice of units in all calculations), the ratio of mass of the proton to the electron w

I think it does. Whatever our choice of units (provided you use the same choice of units in all calculations), the ratio of mass of the proton to the electron will be the same. This is what makes the constant fundamental: it is independent of any way we choose to measure it, so should be the same to anybody and everybody. If we were to meet an alien civilization and study their physics, as long as we know their number system, we would immediately recognize the number 1836.2.

kazinator 11y ago
> If we were to meet an alien civilization and study their physics, as long as we know their number system, we would immediately recognize the number 1836.2 Only if that number really is a constant, so that it matches in their pocket of the universe. For sure-fire mutual recognition of numbers, I would stick with something mathematically defined, like some large-ish prime numbers, pi, e, and so forth. > the ratio of mass of the proton to the electron will be the same. In effect, the electron's mass is then the unit of measure. A proton's mass is 1836.2 electrons, and so many kilograms, do many ounces, etc.