28. What is the fine structure constant?

            The fine structure constant is the ratio of the electromagnetic force to the nuclear force. In the kinetic particle theory of physics forces depend upon the square of the velocity of particles. The largest observed force is the nuclear force and it depends upon the square of the mean speed , of the background particles. The electromagnetic force depends approximately upon the square of the speed of light which is the rms speed , less the mean speed, i.e., . The force ratio thus is approximately