The physical basis of natural units and truly fundamental constants

L. Hsu; J. P. Hsu

doi:10.1140/epjp/i2012-12011-5

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The European Physical Journal Plus

January 2012, 127:11

The physical basis of natural units and truly fundamental constants

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Authors and affiliations

L. HsuEmail author
J. P. Hsu

Open Access

Regular Article

First Online:: 27 January 2012

Received:: 25 July 2011
Accepted:: 07 December 2011

DOI: 10.1140/epjp/i2012-12011-5

Cite this article as:: Hsu, L. & Hsu, J.P. Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2012) 127: 11. doi:10.1140/epjp/i2012-12011-5

Abstract

The natural unit system, in which the value of fundamental constants such as c and ℏ are set equal to one and all quantities are expressed in terms of a single unit, is usually introduced as a calculational convenience. However, we demonstrate that this system of natural units has a physical justification as well. We discuss and review the natural units, including definitions for each of the seven base units in the International System of Units (SI) in terms of a single unit. We also review the fundamental constants, which can be classified as units-dependent or units-independent. Units-independent constants, whose values are not determined by human conventions of units, may be interpreted as inherent constants of nature.

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Authors and Affiliations

L. Hsu
- 1
Email author
J. P. Hsu
- 2

1.Department of Postsecondary Teaching and LearningUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisUSA
2.Department of PhysicsUniversity of Massachusetts-DartmouthNorth DartmouthUSA

The physical basis of natural units and truly fundamental constants

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