Colloquium: Ken Hicks, Ohio University
Nature's Balancing Act
Event Details:
- Date: April 7, 2026
- Time: 3:45 - 4:45 PM
- Location: 1080 Physics Research Building
- Faculty Host: Daniel Brandenburg
Abstract
Physicists accept that fundamental constants, such as the value of the electron’s charge or the mass of a quark, are necessary assumptions in the standard model of particle physics. These constants cannot be explained (at least not yet) in terms of a more fundamental theory, such as string theory. In this talk we explore how the existence of our universe is sensitive to the values of some of these fundamental constants. For example, what would the universe look like if the proton were slightly heavier than the neutron (the reverse of what we measure)? Exploring questions like this provide observations that some constants appear to be “finely tuned” so that life on Earth can exist. If you change one of these fundamental constants just slightly, then the universe would be very different. Hence, our physical laws provide a delicate balance to our universe such that human life can exist. This talk summarizes my book, Nature’s Balancing Act (2025, Oxford University Press).