RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Speed of sound from fundamental physical constants
JF Science Advances
JO Sci Adv
FD American Association for the Advancement of Science
SP eabc8662
DO 10.1126/sciadv.abc8662
VO 6
IS 41
A1 Trachenko, K.
A1 Monserrat, B.
A1 Pickard, C. J.
A1 Brazhkin, V. V.
YR 2020
UL http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/41/eabc8662.abstract
AB Two dimensionless fundamental physical constants, the fine structure constant α and the proton-to-electron mass ratio mpme, are attributed a particular importance from the point of view of nuclear synthesis, formation of heavy elements, planets, and life-supporting structures. Here, we show that a combination of these two constants results in a new dimensionless constant that provides the upper bound for the speed of sound in condensed phases, vu. We find that vuc=α(me2mp)12, where c is the speed of light in vacuum. We support this result by a large set of experimental data and first-principles computations for atomic hydrogen. Our result expands the current understanding of how fundamental constants can impose new bounds on important physical properties.