In our universe, the rest energy of an electron is approximately 8.2 × 10^-14 J. What would it be in the alternate universe?

(a) 8.2 × 10^-8 J;

(b) 8.2 × 10^-26 J;

(c) 8.2 × 10^-2 J;

(d) 0.82 J.

Our universe has properties that are determined by the values of the fundamental physical constants, and it would be a much different place if the charge of the electron, the mass of the proton, or the speed of light was substantially different from its actual value. For instance, the speed of light is so great that the effects of relativity usually go unnoticed in everyday events. Let’s imagine an alternate universe where the speed of light is 1,000,000 times less than it is in our universe to see what would happen.