Title :
Changes in the fundamental constants-past and future
Author :
Cohen, E. Richard
Author_Institution :
Rockwell Int. Sci. Center, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
fDate :
4/1/1989 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The 1986 adjusted values of the fundamental physical constants are assigned significantly smaller uncertainties than those ascribed to the data in the 1973 adjustment. However, history shows that precision is often not representative of accuracy. This history is reviewed, some of the reasons for the variations are discussed, and possible future changes are explored
Keywords :
constants; history; 1973; 1986; accuracy; fundamental physical constants; history; precision; Atomic measurements; Electrons; Helium; History; Least squares methods; Magnetic analysis; Magnetic moments; Measurement standards; Uncertainty;
Journal_Title :
Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on