Fine-tuned universe - This idea presents that the universe is kind of designed or finely tuned in its physical laws, physical constants, and other parameters in order to allow the existence of life. Does this mean that the universe is made for us? Does this mean that some entity would have designed it, like God? This is a very interesting hypothesis in physics. So let's unpack this hypothesis in this blog.
Fundamental constants are fixed numerical values that are fundamental to the universe and are statistically improbable (unlikely) or have no theoretical basis, they are known necessarily by measurements and experiments.
Examples of these Fundamental constants are the universal gravitational constant G = 6.67 * 10 to the power of -11 Newton meter square/kg square Or the plank's constant h = 6.626 * 10 to the power of -34 joules/second Or even the speed of light C = 299729458 meters per second and there are many other.
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| CHART OF FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANTS |
These contents are so in balance to support life that even a slight deviation of these constants would result in a completely different form of the universe, where life would not exist, and remember these constants do not have a theoretical basis. They are fine-tuned.
So let us consider the Gravitational constant and how the universe would be different if the gravitational constant was slightly higher or slightly lesser than what it is measured now.
If gravitational constraint was slightly less then the planets and stars would not have formed because gravitational force pulls and keeps constant particles of stars and planets together. If the gravitational constant was lesser, then these particles might have never come together to form celestial bodies
If the gravitational constant was slightly higher, then the stars would have collapsed within themselves
A star is in equilibrium with a gravitational force that pulls constituent particles together and pressure energy that is caused due to the nuclear fusion at the core of the star. So if G was higher to keep the star in equilibrium, the nuclear fusion reaction should speed up and eventually run out of its fuel very quickly. And the star will collapse within itself, having a very shortened lifespan. It is assumed that it takes almost 1 billion years for a planet to become hospitable to life But due to the shortened lifespan of stars, it becomes difficult for life to ever evolve in this universe.
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| STAR AT EQUILIBRIUM |
Similarly, varying the other constants could also result in a universe where life would not simply exist.
Does this indicate to us that the universe was made for us and is fine-tuned by a higher entity? Probably not saying that fundamental Constant's values is improbable is not a very technical answer because probability is when we know the possibilities, as in flipping coin, there are two (head and tail) And also, we know the probability of each case, that is, 0.5 or 50% But in case of universe, we don't know the possibilities We know that there is 'one' but we are not sure that there is 'just one'. If there are possibilities, then we do not know the probability of our universe coming into existence,Is it 100%? That is very likely or, 0.1 percent or even less, making it very unlikely. If there are possibilities of different universes, then they should already exist, From here comes the concept of multiverse comes into picture. There would be other fundamental constants in other universes, and life in a very different form from ours. Also, biochemists suggest that the life could be evolved from other elements other than carbon (Carbon being the major element in life on our planet). Life can also be evolved from other elements such as silicon and germanium.
The reasoning that is given for everything is fine tuned for us is called anthropic bias If we were the ones, the universe was designed for, then why are we so irrelevant in this cosmos? Why we can't find life wherever we look into the universe?
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