Exploring the Nature of the Fine-Structure Constant in the Setting of General Relativity, Quantum Physics, and the Evolution of the Universe | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Exploring the Nature of the Fine-Structure Constant in the Setting of General Relativity, Quantum Physics, and the Evolution of the Universe Lamont Williams This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1059795/v7 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 7 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Abstract This study explores the possibility that the value of the fine-structure constant, α, is linked to the spacetime geometry of the electromagnetic field between two elementary charges, connecting the smooth manifold responsible for gravity with the discreteness of the electromagnetic field. In a step-by-step manner, the study presents a logical basis for the establishment of a fundamental equation for α. It is shown that the equation is directly linked to experimental data involving elementary electric charge, e, and resolves the problems of the Landau pole (when the value of e is infinite at a finite energy level) and triviality (when the value of e is zero at an infinite energy level) in quantum electrodynamics. The equation is also consistent with the evolution of the universe—here, a near-perfect match exists between specific points along the line representing the running of the constant’s value by way of the equation and important periods in the universe’s development. The presented concepts have the potential to assist in efforts to determine how the value of α might be directly derived within the Standard Model. Theoretical Physics Spacetime gravity general relativity Einstein field equation elementary electric charge fine-structure constant electromagnetism electromagnetic coupling constant electron g-factor particle physics quantum mechanics quantum electrodynamics QED Landau pole Big Bang triviality universe Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 7 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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