Estimating all fundamental constants from your kitchen

We explore fundamental constants by connecting them to everyday phenomena using simple estimations. By blending direct observations with basic theoretical principles, we aim to reveal the quantities that shape our physical reality in an intuitive way.

Physics often emphasizes that dimensionless ratios are the most fundamental—physical laws should not depend on arbitrary unit choices. In this spirit, we compare scales: How heavy is an atom relative to a liter of water? How does the frequency of visible light compare to a human heartbeat? How many Planck constants contribute to the angular momentum of coffee swirling in a cup?

Using basic equations and reasonable approximations, we estimate key physical constants, including Loschmidt’s number, Boltzmann’s constant, Planck’s constant, the charge of the electron, the mass of the proton, the gravitational constant, and the speed of light. In all cases, our results are within an order of magnitude of accepted values, demonstrating the power of simple, order-of-magnitude reasoning.

This approach aligns with the spirit of Victor Weisskopf’s Search for Simplicity in the American Journal of Physics and the classic Powers of Ten by Morrison, highlighting how fundamental physics can be understood through everyday intuition