Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!hplabs!sri-unix!spencert%rpi.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa From: spencert%rpi.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa Newsgroups: net.physics Subject: Fine structure constant. Message-ID: <498@sri-arpa.ARPA> Date: Wed, 14-Aug-85 15:14:58 EDT Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.498 Posted: Wed Aug 14 15:14:58 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 03:53:55 EDT Lines: 29 From: Thomas Spencer*I am given to understand that Qunatum Electrodynamics (QED) makes a prediction about the value of the fine structure constant. Furthermore, it is difficult but possible to derive a numerical for this constant. This derivation supposedly has been done to some extent and the theoretical value has been determined to about 10 significant figures. The fine structure constant can be measured from Hydrogen spectra to about the same accuracy and the theoretical and measured values agree. Question: Is this correct ? If so, could someone explain approximately how one calculates the fine structure constant. (I am looking for an explanition of the level of: Solve P.D.E. #1 Stuff #1. Solve P.D.E. #2 Stuff #2. Integrate the difference in solutions over everywhere. Or something like that ) Thank you. Tom Spencer