What if atoms obeyed an inverse-cubed law

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In summary, an inverse-cubed law is a relationship between two objects where the force between them is inversely proportional to the cube of the distance between them. If atoms followed this law, their behavior and interactions would be greatly affected. However, they would still be able to form molecules. This law would have significant implications on matter and the universe, potentially leading to the formation of different types of matter. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that atoms actually follow an inverse-cubed law.
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bobsmith76
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atoms would be impossible in a universe ruled by an inverse-cube law because there would be no stable orbits for electrons.

The above sentence comes from Rees' book Just Six Numbers. I don't get it. Why would an inverse-cube law affect the stability of electron orbits?
 
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Because for an inverse-cube potential, there is no ground state!
 
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they will obey inverse cube law if universe had 4 space dimensions
 
  • #4
Bill_K said:
Because for an inverse-cube potential, there is no ground state!

Not to mention flux is no longer conserved. That's a special property of 1/r^2 laws that we often take for granted.
 

FAQ: What if atoms obeyed an inverse-cubed law

1. What is an inverse-cubed law?

An inverse-cubed law is a mathematical relationship between two objects where the force between them is inversely proportional to the cube of the distance between them.

2. How would atoms behave if they obeyed an inverse-cubed law?

If atoms obeyed an inverse-cubed law, they would experience a much stronger force of attraction or repulsion depending on their distance from each other. This would result in a significant change in their behavior and interactions.

3. Would atoms still form molecules if they followed an inverse-cubed law?

Yes, atoms would still be able to form molecules if they obeyed an inverse-cubed law. However, the strength and stability of these molecules would be greatly affected by the change in the force between atoms.

4. What implications would an inverse-cubed law have on matter and the universe?

If atoms obeyed an inverse-cubed law, it would greatly impact the properties of matter and the structure of the universe. It could potentially lead to the formation of different types of matter and alter the way objects interact with each other.

5. Is there any evidence to suggest that atoms follow an inverse-cubed law?

There is currently no scientific evidence to support the idea that atoms follow an inverse-cubed law. The laws of physics, including the force between atoms, are well-established and have been extensively tested and proven through experiments and observations.

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