Mass of a proton

[p0002q]

I have learned that the mass of a proton is 1836 or 1837 times greater than an electron. (found this information at numerous locations)

 

I have also read this statement: "If the mass of the proton were to increase, then life wouldn't exist because atoms could not form the molecules we require"

 

 

I have not been able to find any scientific proof to that statement and would love to be guided to an article or answer.

 

Thanks

 

-Rob

[Iota]

Relative Masses:

 

Proton: 1.0

Neutron: 1.0

Electron: 1/2000

 

Mass of an electron is often just referred to as negligible.

 

Edit: Woops, I assumed the quesiton. Have to stop doing that. I'll leave that there anyway, lol. To make up for it: http://www.focus.org.uk/proton_neutron.php

 

That's what you're looking for.

Edited August 13, 2012 by Iota

[p0002q]

Thanks @ Iota for posting that article.

 

I'm now convinced that the mass of protons and neutrons are critical.

 

Any fluxuation of 1% or greater in either more or less mass would cause everything we know to not function properly.

 

Good read

[Iota]

Good read

 

I agree. I didn't know that stuff either.

 

Just realised that it's a religious site, but they were citing actual scientific facts, so it's alright.

Edited August 13, 2012 by Iota

[John Cuthber]

Thanks @ Iota for posting that article.

 

I'm now convinced that the mass of protons and neutrons are critical.

 

Any fluxuation of 1% or greater in either more or less mass would cause everything we know to not function properly.

 

Good read

True, but it might make a whole lot of things that we don't know work just fine.

 

 

Or, as Douglas Adams put it

"Imagine a puddle waking up one morning and thinking, "This is an interesting world I find myself in — an interesting hole I find myself in — fits me rather neatly, doesn't it? In fact it fits me staggeringly well, must have been made to have me in it!"

[jimmydasaint]

True, but it might make a whole lot of things that we don't know work just fine.

 

 

Or, as Douglas Adams put it

"Imagine a puddle waking up one morning and thinking, "This is an interesting world I find myself in an interesting hole I find myself in fits me rather neatly, doesn't it? In fact it fits me staggeringly well, must have been made to have me in it!"

 

But what caused the rain?

Edited August 13, 2012 by jimmydasaint