Atomic Binding Force Weaker Than Thought

A fundamental force that holds electrons inside atoms and governs
how charged particles and light interact is a little weaker than
previously thought, scientists reported today.

The strength of electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental
forces of nature, is specified through a value known as the fine
structure constant. Through studying an individual electron in isolation,
scientists were able to calculate a new value for this number that is
six times more precise than previous estimates.

"Little did we know that the binding energies of all the atoms in the
universe were smaller by a millionth of a percent--a lot of energy given
the huge number of atoms in the universe," said Gerald Gabrielse,
a researcher at Harvard University.


SOURCE:
LiveScience.com

To most people this probably seems totally boring and unimportant,
but I honestly find it interesting.

Comments, Opinions?

I find this very interesting as well. These things make up not just everything, but everything, and we didn't know exactly how strong they were held together? I wouldn't know the technical electron shell stuff, but it makes me wonder if calculations involving binding forces were used in making atomic weapons. I suppose they just used overkill to make sure that everything worked, through.

They can caluclate to a millionth of a percent>? Cool

Originally posted by watch_the_rocks
but it makes me wonder if calculations involving binding forces were used in making atomic weapons.

I do believe so, thanks to Einstein e=mc2 ..... is used to determine approximately the amount of binding energy from an atomic nucleus

Just read the article on PhysOrgNews and was fascinated by the unique measurements they did and the way they did them.

Here is what I am thinking:


Perhaps the decline of the electromagnetic field on Earth is causing a destabilization of the binding force of matter on Earth...If that be the case, this could be very serious indeed.

If the bindings are weaker then thought then it should be easier to break them apart as well... hrm... this could make Molecular Manufacturing easier...

Perhaps the decline of the electromagnetic field on Earth is causing a destabilization of the binding force of matter on Earth...If that be the case, this could be very serious indeed.

Magnetic Fields are not needed for covalent bonds. These can form in just about any environment where there is energy available, otherwise, we'd not be here right now discussing this.