Fundamental Constants

In tab:constan1 some of the fundamental physical constants are shown. In addition, the permittivity $\epsilon_0$ and permeability $\mu_0$ of free space must be fixed. These two constants are related according to

$$\epsilon_0 \mu_0 c^2 = \kappa^2$$ (208)

In the rationalized MKSA (SI) system $\kappa =1$and $\mu_0 = 4\pi \times 10^{-7}~Hm^{-1}$.

From the above constants two important quantities, the fine structure constant $\alpha = \mu_0 c e^2/2h$ and the Rydberg constant $R_{\infty}= m_ec{\alpha}^2/2h$, can be formed. The values of these two constants are shown in the bottom part of tab:constan1.

 

 

Table: The fundamental physical constants

Constant	Symbol	Recommended value
velocity of light in free space	c	299 792 458 ms-1
rest mass of the electron	me or m	9.109 389 7(54) $\times 10^{-31}$ kg
rest mass of the proton	mp	1.672 623 1(10) $\times 10^{-27}$ kg
electron and proton mass ratio	me/mp	5.446 170 13(11) $\times 10^{-4}$
elementary charge	e	1.602 177 33(49) $\times 10^{-19}$ C
Planck's constant	h	6.626 075 5(40) $\times 10^{-34}$ Js
fine structure constant	$\alpha$	0.007 297 353 08(33)
Rydberg constant	$R_{\infty}$	10 973 731.534(13) m-1