New Physics Theory Suggests the Universe Needs Only One Constant: Time

Rethinking Reality: Could Time Be the Universe’s Only True Constant?

For centuries, physics has relied on a handful of fundamental constants—fixed, unchanging values like the speed of light or the gravitational constant—to describe the laws of the cosmos. However, a groundbreaking new theoretical framework challenges this foundational assumption, proposing that the entire universe might be governed by just one fundamental constant: the rate of change of time.

This radical idea, put forth by researchers including Dr. Christa Zoufal from the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, suggests a profound simplification of the laws of nature. Published in Physical Review Letters, the work posits that the other constants we rely on are not fundamental at all, but rather emergent properties dependent on the universe’s current state.

The Problem with Multiple Constants

In the current Standard Model of physics, constants are essential. They are the fixed numerical values that make our equations work, defining everything from the strength of gravity to the energy of a photon. Key examples include:

• The speed of light (c): Essential for relativity and electromagnetism.
• The Planck constant (h): Crucial for quantum mechanics, linking energy to frequency.
• The gravitational constant (G): Defines the strength of gravitational attraction.

While these constants are incredibly precise, their sheer number—currently around 26 in the Standard Model—presents a philosophical and mathematical challenge. Why are there so many? Why do they have the specific values they do? Many physicists believe a truly unified theory should be simpler, requiring fewer arbitrary inputs.

This new approach tackles the complexity head-on by adopting a framework known as Shape Dynamics.

The Shape Dynamics Framework

Shape Dynamics is a theory that eliminates the concept of absolute size or scale from the universe’s description. Instead of focusing on the absolute measurements of objects, it focuses only on the relative shapes and configurations of matter. In this model, the universe is described purely by the relationships between its components, not by external, fixed standards.

Dr. Zoufal and her colleagues applied Shape Dynamics to the problem of fundamental constants. They argue that in a universe where only relative shapes matter, the traditional constants (c, h, G) lose their fundamental status. They become merely effective parameters—values that appear fixed to us because we are observing them within the current, specific state of the cosmos.

“The only thing that is truly constant is the rate of change of time,” the researchers suggest. “All other constants are just derived quantities that depend on the total energy and entropy of the universe.”

This means that if we were to observe the universe at a vastly different stage of its evolution—say, during the extreme energy density of the Big Bang—the measured values of constants like the speed of light might appear different, relative to the current state.

Time as the Ultimate Invariant

In this theoretical structure, the concept of time is elevated to the single, invariant factor. Specifically, it is the rate at which the universe changes—the speed of time’s flow—that remains fixed and fundamental. This constant rate provides the necessary anchor for all other physical laws to be defined relative to it.

If the theory holds, it offers a powerful path toward simplifying physics by reducing the number of fundamental constants from dozens to just one. This simplification is not just aesthetic; it has profound implications for the long-sought goal of unifying the two great pillars of modern physics:

Implications for Unification

1. General Relativity (Gravity): Describes the universe on large scales, where gravity is a curvature of spacetime. It is currently defined using the gravitational constant (G) and the speed of light (c).
2. Quantum Mechanics: Describes the universe on microscopic scales, governed by the Planck constant (h).

These two theories are notoriously incompatible. The Shape Dynamics approach, by redefining G, c, and h as non-fundamental, state-dependent parameters, offers a potential bridge. By making all physical laws relative to the single constant of time’s flow, the framework naturally integrates concepts that were previously separate.

This mathematical framework suggests that the universe is inherently simpler than previously assumed, potentially resolving deep inconsistencies that have plagued physicists attempting to create a Theory of Everything.

The Path Forward: Testing the Theory

It is crucial to note that this proposal is currently a highly mathematical theoretical framework. While elegant and compelling, it requires rigorous testing and development to determine its validity. The researchers must now work to derive testable predictions that can distinguish this model from the current Standard Model.

If successful, this work could fundamentally alter our understanding of cosmic history, suggesting that the constants we measure today are merely snapshots of a dynamic system, all tethered to the unchanging rhythm of time’s passage.

Key Takeaways

This new theoretical framework from the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute offers a radical simplification of cosmology:

• The Core Claim: The universe may require only one fundamental constant: the rate of change of time.
• Current Constants: Traditional constants like the speed of light (c), Planck constant (h), and gravitational constant (G) are redefined as effective parameters.
• Shape Dynamics: The theory relies on this framework, which describes the universe based only on the relative shapes and configurations of matter, eliminating absolute scale.
• Simplification: This approach reduces the number of fundamental constants from approximately 26 to just one, offering a more elegant description of nature.
• Unification Potential: By making c, h, and G state-dependent, the theory provides a promising avenue for unifying quantum mechanics and general relativity.