How to Derive the Primary and Secondary Physical Constants

[Updated: Aug. 24, 2025]
Abstract
A frequently asked question is, "How did binary mechanics (BM) derive the primary and secondary physical constants?" A true derivation of a "fundamental constant" value is based on first principles alone, without any use of other fundamental constants, which are really unexplained measurements. First, measured values of the so-called fundamental constants were reverse engineered to obtain values for the BM primary constants based on full quantization of energy, space and time, expressed in kg, meters and seconds respectively, which map directly to the SI units of measurement used in science. Second, the primary constant values, dubbed the Keene scale, were used to calculate the measured values of the previously unexplained secondary or "fundamental" constants.

Fig. 1: Physical Constant Derivation Highlights

Physicists Had A Chance And They Blew It

Editorial
The first-ever derivation of so-called fundamental constants from first principles of quantum theory [1] was a historic event. The first of over 90 papers on binary mechanics appeared in 2010 in JBinMech. But the first paper deriving Planck's constant h was not published until 2015. So physicists around the world had some five years to win the century-long physics grand championship race. A major missed opportunity. They had a chance and they blew it. Instead, Binary Mechanics Lab (BML) crossed the finish line and won the greatest race in physics in over 100 years [2].

Table 1: Unexplained Measurements Wrongly Called "Fundamental Constants"

Fundamental Physical Constants Doctrine

Abstract and Introduction
The fundamental physical constants doctrine hides the failure of popular physical theories including legacy quantum mechanics and both special and general relativity. The so-called "fundamental constants" are in fact the greatest body of unexplained data in physics. The doctrine acts to obscure the now obvious fact that these unexplained observations comprise basic unsolved mysteries in physics. Instead of addressing these basic questions, the doctrine teaches that these observations are essentially a sort of "no-go zone" for theoretical physicists. First, these observations are typically confined to a short Appendix A in physics books, wrongly labelled "fundamental constants" (Fig. 1). Second, "natural units" in basic equations help hide the fact that the measured values of these "constants" remains unexplained although these values are used as "input parameters". Third, accepted interrelationships or dependencies among many of these constants indicate mathematically that they contain redundant information and could not be "fundamental". Finally, binary mechanics is thus far the only comprehensive physical theory to derive the values of the so-called fundamental constants from first principles [1].

Fig. 1: The Greatest Body Of Unexplained Data In Physics

Light Speed Derivation

Abstract
Physics literature presents equations in which a measured physical constant is expressed as one or more other measured physical constants. These expressions (1) show dependencies among so-called "fundamental" constants which are in fact unexplained observations and (2) are not derivations from first principles. That is, a true derivation from first principles cannot use any unexplained data as one or more "input" parameters. Adding to previous reports [1] [2], a procedure to derive light speed with unidirectional measurements is described based only on the first principles of binary mechanics including the time-development laws [3] and a physical interpretation of binary mechanical space [4].

Introduction
With first principles describing electron geometry, zero electron electric dipole moment was derived in 2011 [5] and confirmed by two different labs [6]. With the discovery of the proton (hadron) bit cycle in 2011 [7], the non-spherical proton shape was described, confirmed by proton scattering data [8].

Using the classical definition of total angular momentum, intrinsic electron spin and hence, Planck's constant, were derived in 2015 [9]. In 2018, Planck's constant and both electron and proton intrinsic spin where derived using a different method by summation of the angular momentum of each quanta motion in the electron and proton bit cycles [10]. Fractional and elementary charge derivation was based on analysis of the time-development scalar (electrostatic) bit operation [11] and paved the way to derive intrinsic electron magnetic moment based solely on first principles, the elementary charge derivation and the classical definition of magnetic dipole moment [12].

These first-ever derivations of previously unexplained constants required full quantization of energy, space and time, namely the units of measurement in physics (Fig. 1). A primary constant value for each unit of measurement could be assigned that was consistent with the full set of derivations -- mass M as energy expressed in kg, length L in meters and time T in seconds [13]. These three values may complete the list of primary constants, if fine-structure constant α in Fig. 1 can also be successfully derived from first principles [Keene, in preparation].

Hurricane Hits Physics

Abstract and Introduction
On Sept. 18, 2017, Cat 5 hurricane Maria destroyed Binary Mechanics Lab (BML), located in the Commonwealth of Dominica in the Caribbean West Indies windward islands. just as BML was emerging as the leading fundamental physics lab in the world (see e.g. [1] [2] [3]). For over six months, BML had no utility-supplied electric power and internet. At present, BML has been largely rebuilt. This article reviews upcoming BML activities, including research publications and software.

Fig. 1: Getting Started: Bit Function Analysis

LIGO Gravity Wave Mechanism

[Updated: Feb 16, 2026]
Abstract and Introduction
A gravitational wave [1] observed at LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) [2] may provide experimental confirmation of two major results of binary mechanics (BM) [3]: (1) objects tend to move toward regions of higher vacuum energy density [4] [5] [6] and (2) light speed in vacuum decreases at reduced vacuum energy density [7] [8]. This paper outlines how the BM model of gravitational effects and the land-mark light speed discovery may fully account for the LIGO gravitational wave data.

Table 1: LIGO Gravitational Wave Mechanism and Detection

Electron Gas Standing Waves

While testing a new batch mode version of the Binary Mechanics Lab Simulator (BMLS), remarkable standing waves of an electron gas in perfect vacuum were observed (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1: Standing Waves in Vacuum Electron Gas

Faster Than Light

Binary mechanics (BM) [1] predicts that faster-than-light motion of 1-state bits occurs over specific distances under particular conditions defined by four time-development bit operations [2] -- unconditional (U), scalar (S), vector (V) and strong (F) [3] [4].

1-State Fermion Mite Bit Velocities
Distance d = 1. Bit velocity v = d/t where d and t are the fundamental quantized length and time constants [5]. Distance d is presently thought to be approximately 0.6 fm. Time interval t was calculated based on the speculation that so-called "light speed in vacuum" c = v/π (eq. 2 in [5]), approximately 6.34922E-25 seconds in the BM frame. In one time tick t of the unconditional bit operation, all 1-state bits (fermion mites and boson lites) and 0-state bits (1-bit neutrinos) move exactly one distance unit d at bit velocity v. With four bit operations each thought to have duration t, the average unconditional bit velocity over one cycle of bit operations application is v/4. It may be convenient to express these velocities in bit velocity units where light speed is 1/π and average velocity over 4 ticks t due to the unconditional bit operation is 1/4, less than purported light speed.

Fig. 1: Faster-Than-Light 1-State Fermion Mite Bit Motion

Legend: States of spatial objects named spot units over successive ticks (top to bottom). Each spot unit contains two bit loci named mite (circles) and lite (arrows) with 0 (blue) or 1 (black) allowed states. The last row adds view of a bit locus in an adjacent perpendicular spot unit. Strong bit operation direction (purple arrow).

Light Speed at Zero Kelvin

Abstract and Introduction
Light velocity at zero degrees Kelvin was examined. Major results of previous reports were replicated [1] [2]. First, light speed was zero at low vacuum energy (1-state bit) densities. That is, the hypothesis that the lowest vacuum densities are opaque to light transmission [3] was confirmed with improved measurement methods. Second, light speed decreased from its maximum velocity as energy density decreased. Third, light velocity was approximately equal to 1/π in bit velocity units [4], where bit velocity is d/t and d and t are the quantized fundamental length and time constants respectively. These results (1) change the status of Einstein's Special Relativity statement of constant light speed c in a vacuum independent of signal source velocity from postulate to known mechanism and (2) limit the vacuum density range in which light speed c may, in fact, be constant [1] and (3) highlight issues in light speed measurement methods.

Methods and Results
Fig. 1: Light Speed at Zero Kelvin vs Energy Density

Legend: Bit density: energy (1-state bit) density as proportion of maximum possible energy density. Light speed expressed in bit velocity units.

Binary Mechanics Lab Simulator Update

The Binary Mechanics Lab Simulator (BMLS) software has been updated. Fig. 1 shows a screen shot of a "laser" experiment. Basic information has been presented previously [1], and might best be consulted first. In addition, further evidence is presented that light velocity c equals bit velocity v / π.
Fig. 1: BMLS Screen Shot

Expanding Universe Questions

The discovery that light speed in vacuum c is not constant over the entire vacuum energy range may raise significant questions about expanding universe concepts. A recent study reported evidence that light speed c begins to decrease at lower vacuum energy densities and that volumes at zero vacuum energy density, named absolute vacuum, were in fact completely opaque to electromagnetic (EM) wave transmission (Fig. 1 from [1]).
Fig. 1: Light Speed vs Media Density and Bit Operations Order

These findings raise the possibility that observed redshifts may not be due to an expanding universe, but rather to regions of lower vacuum density where light speed is decreased producing the exact same observed redshifts. This possiblity may raise serious questions about the veracity of the expanding universe theory in astrophysics. Indeed, the question of whether the universe is expanding, contracting or neither may be back on the table again.

If You Want to Keep Your Higgs Boson...

This note reports additional information regarding "If you like your Higgs boson, you can keep your Higgs boson" and other lost causes in the Standard Model (SM). With the quantization of space, time and energy in binary mechanics (BM) [1], infinitesimal time-development operators in conventional quantum mechanics (QM) were no longer mathematically applicable since only integer increments in spatial position and time were allowed. Thus, four binary bit operations were defined -- unconditional (U), scalar (S), vector (V) and strong (F), each occurring in a time tick t in a time-development cycle of duration T (4t). The unconditional bit operation corresponds to the momentum operator, leaving three fundamental forces defined by the scalar (electrostatic), vector (magnetic) and strong bit operations [2]. Only one bit operations order can be fully correct physics since each may affect the results obtained by others [3].

"...You can keep your Higgs boson." Fig. 1 shows force incidence as a function of bit density in a simulated 64x64x64 spot volume.

Fig. 1: Force Bit Operations Counts vs Bit Density

Legend: Counts for scalar (blue), vector (purple) and strong (yellow) bit operations from absolute vacuum (0 bit density) [4] to maximum bit density (1) for six permutations of bit operations order.

Light Speed Amendment

Updated: April 17, 2015
Abstract and Introduction
In this pilot study, the hypothesis that absolute vacuum, defined as zero bit (energy) density [1], is opaque to electromagnetic (EM, light) transmission posed in 2011 [2] was confirmed using simulated volumes with bit densities ranging from zero to 0.30 expressed as proportion of maximum possible density. At zero bit density, light speed c was zero. The first detectable light transmission was seen at 0.10 bit density. Light speed c increased with increased bit densities through partial vacuum levels. An essentially constant light velocity c was obtained only at higher bit densities at and above approximately 0.15, thereby limiting the energy density range over which light speed invariance postulated in Special Relativity occurs. Thus, the Special Relativity postulate of "light speed invariance in a vacuum" was correct only for higher vacuum (bit) density ranges. The postulates of binary mechanics (BM) [3] generated the present hypothesis and explain the underlying mechanisms for the reported results.

Methods and Results

Fig. 1: Delay in Arrival of Wave Front with Two Bit Operations Orders.

Intrinsic Electron Spin and Fundamental Constants

[Updated: Apr 12, 2018]
For the first time, the empirically measured value of Planck's constant h is calculated from first principles of a physical theory to the full precision allowed by CODATA values. Using the postulates of binary mechanics (BM) where both space and time are quantized [1], this report describes the key steps in this calculation and proposes values for the fundamental length d and time t constants.
(1) Bit velocity v was defined as greater than the speed of light in a vacuum c consistent with the BM constraint that v > c [2].
(2) A physical interpretation of BM space [3] suggested a proposed value for the fundamental BM length constant d as approximately 0.67 fm.
(3) d/v = t' = approximately 7.14E-25 s, the fundamental time constant in BM space-time.
(4) The fine structure constant α maps this quantized time unit t' from BM space to observational space with t = αt' = approximately 5.2124E-27 s.
(5) Intrinsic electron spin and hence the Planck constant h was calculated using only electron rest mass m_e and the proposed length d and time t constants.
(6) In addition to steps (3) and (4) above, another method was used to calculate quantized time t based only on m_e, h and quantized length d.
(7) Finally, eq. 9 calculates Planck constant h directly from the independently determined length constant d (step 2 above) and familiar physical constants.

Lorentz Force in Binary Mechanics

Updated: July 30, 2011
At relatively low bit densities, the Lorentz force is consistent with binary mechanics^[1] (BM), with which this note assumes familiarity.

BM predicts that experimental data for particle events approaching the level of fineness of single BM bits will tend to show anomalies when evaluated with conventional quantum mechanics (QM), which assumes the components of the electromagnetic four-potential (Φ,A) can be defined at arbitrary spatial points in continuous space-time. On the other hand, the BM model quantizes both space and time and assigns each component to slightly different spatial locations (Figs. 1A-1C, 2B-2D).