Numerical Relations between Fundamental Constants

Abstract

IN connexion with the letter from Dr. Ernest Dorsey in NATURE of October 6, p. 505, it may be pointed out that most of the numerical relations which he describes are implied in the statement given in a paper in the Proceedings of the Physical Society of London (vol. 27, p. 425, 1915), that all units derived from e, m, and c can be expressed (with considerable accuracy) in the C.G.S. system in terms of simple integers (2, 3, or 4), powers of 10, q and Here q is a pure number, which represents the value of 2e²/hc. This constant is the same as that employed in Sommerfeld's papers on the fine structure of spectrum lines, where it is denoted by If the relation of Lewis and Adams (Phys. Rev. vol. 3, p. 92, 1914) be accepted, the numerical value of q or a is (15/²)/(4)²= 7·28077 × 10³.