Abstract

The fine-structure constant (α) is a fundamental physical constant, i.e. the coupling constant characterizing the strength of the electromagnetic interaction. It is important to know why 1/α is approximately equal to the number 137, because this mysterious number very likely forms the link between three very important domains of physics: quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and relativity. Since the Pythagorean prime number137 equals 4 squared plus 11 squared, it is here speculated that 1/α = 137 perhaps in some mysterious way reflects fundamental properties, for instance the 4 dimensions of Einstein’s space-time and the 11 dimensions of M-theory. Also, the number 4 might be related to the four forces, i.e. the electromagnetic force, the gravitational force and the strong and weak nuclear forces, or perhaps to another 4 and 11 combination of fundamental constants.

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