A Universe Fine-tuned for Life
With due apologies to Technophobes!
In his book “The God Delusion,” Richard Dawkins, British evolutionary biologist, ethologist, and author, discusses the concept of fine-tuning in the universe. This is the argument that physical functions, forces, and processes in the universe are precisely fine-tuned to enable life to exist and to function adequately (see a list of some of these fine-tuned items in the table below).
Dawkins challenges this concept in the book, using a rather dismissive analogy of a deity manipulating a machine with only eight 'knobs' (physical parameters), arguing that in fact each of these 8 parameters is only coincidentally fine-tuned to permit the existence and maintenance of life in the universe!
However, the fine-tuning of our universe for life, relies on far more than just eight parameters; in fact, very considerably more!
The table given below, 'A Sample of Fine-tuned Parameters' (quite technical in nature), summarises around 40 of these items. And this is by no means a complete list.
All of these must be tuned with precision — with no exceptions — and sometimes extreme precision, to enable life to begin and to be sustained. The parameter values must also be maintained throughout time, without unexpected deviation, for life to begin and to continue. (Note how this ties in with the multi-tiered project discussed in the 'Planning' section.)
Apologies to those not familiar with the subject of physics; however, an examination of these items will prove to be rewarding.
Imagine, for instance, someone baking a large cake. All the ingredients must be sourced, mixed correctly, and at the right time, in the precise quantities, with the required amount and method of heat applied. Missing an ingredient or misjudging an item could result in a very poor cake or even a complete disaster!
In a similar way, but on a far grander scale, the emergence of life on earth requires an astonishing number of ingredients, maximum coordination between them, and an unimaginable level of fine-tuning. The precision needed to achieve the necessary conditions for life, indeed for sufficiently comfortable life, is truly mind-boggling!
Each item is listed below, along with a description of the physical consequences of this item being either greater or smaller than it actually is in the universe. If any one of these items was not so finely tuned, then life would either not exist at all or would be unbearably uncomfortable at best.
- These comparisons are made even more remarkable when you consider for example the size of an electron in comparison to the overall dimensions of the tiny atom to which it belongs:
- Imagine a football stadium; if the proton were the size of a football in the centre of the field, the electron would be a tiny marble in an orbital arrangement around the outermost seats of the stadium.
- The vast space between the electron and the proton is mostly empty, highlighting how incredibly small (and seemingly fragile) these particles are, and how any change (however tiny or miniscule) to the properties of size, or distance, spin, weight, electric charge, or other properties, would have catastrophic consequences! (See just one example with the item 'Ratio of electron to proton mass' below.)
- The vast quantity of the combined number of potential consequences (including "cascade" or knock-on effects -- see the example at the bottom of this page), and the sheer magnitude of the quantity of the overlapping of these fine-tuned parameters, is highlighted in a study of the section Multi-tiered Coordinated Planning.
In the table below, the legend is explained as follows:
A minus sign (–) represents smaller, slower, less dense, or younger properties.
A plus sign (+) represents larger, faster, more dense, or older properties.
Note how the following parameters or items are presented. For example, the first item, the 'Strong nuclear force,' if it was very slightly greater, would result in the effects described against the plus (+) sign; and if it was very slightly smaller, would result in the effects described against the minus (-) sign; and so on for each of the remaining items.
A Sample of Fine-tuned Parameters
Strong nuclear force
+ no hydrogen would form; atomic nuclei for life-essential elements would be unstable; life would not be possible
– no elements heavier than hydrogen would exist: life would not be possible
Weak nuclear force constant
+ too much hydrogen would convert to helium; stars would convert too much matter into heavier elements; life would not be possible
– too little helium would be produced; stars would convert too little matter into heavier elements; life would not be possible
Strength of force of gravity at all time stages of the universe
+ stars would be too hot and would burn too rapidly and too unevenly
– stars would be too cool for nuclear fusion; elements needed for life would never exist
Strength of force of gravity at all size stages of the universe
+ gravity would overwhelm the expansion of the universe and fatal contraction would occur
– gaseous nebulae would never succeed in forming stars; preventing life
Energy value of the Higgs field (set at 246 GeV)
+ particles would never be able to acquire mass, preventing required Quantum particle interactions, therefore no significant material would ever develop due to the instability of matter
– particles would never be able to acquire mass, preventing required Quantum particle interactions, therefore no significant material would ever develop due to the instability of matter
Electromagnetic force
+ chemical bonding would not occur; essential elements would be unstable
– chemical bonding would be unstable and life would not be possible
Ratio of electromagnetic force to gravitational force
+ all stars would be at least 1.4 times the mass of our stable sun; life-cycle of stars would be too brief to support life
– all stars would be at least one fifth the mass of the sun, making them incapable of producing heavy elements required for life
Mass of the neutrino
+ If neutrinos have even a small amount of mass, their high density throughout the universe would increase the Omega value (the mass in the universe) causing its eventual collapse; galaxy clusters and galaxies would be too dense, making conditions impossible for sustained, comfortable life
– If Omega (the mass in the universe) is infinitesimally less than 1.0, it would be unable to prevent the universe from expanding forever; galaxy clusters, galaxies, and even stars would never form
The lambda particle
+ If lambda ("vacuum energy" or "quintessence") is non-zero, universal expansion may be accelerating
– If lambda is zero, the universe may easily collapse
Ratio of electron to proton mass
+ chemical bonds would be too few, life chemistry would not be possible
– chemical bonds would be unstable, life chemistry would not be possible
Ratio of number of protons to number of electrons
+ electromagnetic force would be too great for gravity, preventing formation of galaxies, stars, planets
– electromagnetic force would be inadequate … stars would never form
Ratio of neutron mass to proton mass
+ neutron decay would yield too few neutrons for the formation of many life-essential elements
– neutron decay would produce so many neutrons that stars would collapse into neutron stars or black holes
Ratio of exotic matter mass to ordinary matter mass
+ universe would collapse before solar-type stars could form
– no galaxies would form
Expansion rate of the universe
+ no galaxies would exist
– universe would quickly collapse
Entropy level of the universe
+ stars would not exist within proto-galaxies
– proto-galaxies would not exist
Mass density of the universe
+ excess of deuterium (in contrast to helium) = stars would burn out too rapidly for life to exist
– insufficient helium = shortage of heavier elements essential for life
Velocity of light
+ stars would be too bright
– stars would be too dark
Age of the universe
+ no stars sufficiently stable would exist in required locations of the galaxy
– stable stars would not have formed
Initial uniformity of radiation
+ if more uniform: stars, star clusters, galaxies and galactic clusters could never form
– if less uniform: universe would quickly have become “over-run” with black holes and be mainly devoid of stars essential for life
Distance of the moon from the earth
+ If much closer, tidal waves would be hundreds of times greater than they are today
– If much further away, earth's day would be only a few hours long; hurricanes and tidal waves would be considerably greater; oceans would not be chemical-rich and therefore inadequate for life
Distance of the earth from the sun
+ Freezing temperatures would not permit life to survive, or even to develop
– Heat would scorch the atmosphere, as well as land; oceans would be evaporated, and no chemicals required for life-synthesis would exist
Size of the moon
+ Sun's gravitational effect on the moon (currently about twice that of the earth) would be greater, causing severe irregularities in moon's orbit with consequences like those explained for 'Distance of the moon from the earth'
– The moon would have less mass and would therefore draw rapidly closer to the earth; earth’s day would be only about two thirds its current length; less scattered sunlight; greater seasonal fluctuations; life would be uncomfortable
Strength of earth's magnetic field
+ could affect the protective heliosphere surrounding the solar system; geologic activity of earth would make life uncomfortable; moon orbit would be affected, considerably increasing tidal effects on earth
– increased solar radiation would be too unstable for life
Average distance between stars
+ heavy element density would be too sparse for rocky planets to form
– planetary orbits would be too unstable for life
Location of the solar system from the galactic core in early stage of universe
+ if too far away, lack of essential elements for life to form on earth
– if too close, gravitational effects would destabilize the sun's orbit
Location of the solar system from the galactic core in later stage of universe
+ if too far away, heavy element density would be too sparse for life to be maintained
– if too close, planetary orbits would be unstable; gravitational effects would be too great; supernovae would be dangerously close to earth
Average distance between stars
+ heavy element density would be too sparse for rocky planets to form
– planetary orbits would be too unstable for life
Density of galactic cluster
+ galaxy collisions and mergers would destabilize the sun's orbit
– lack of material for star formation
Fine structure constant
+ too many stars would have significantly less mass than the sun; matter would be unstable in large magnetic fields
– all stars would have significantly greater mass than the sun, decreasing the chances of an adequate “goldilocks” distance
Decay rate of protons
+ radiation would prevent the existence of life
– universe would contain insufficient matter for life
Initial excess of nucleons over anti-nucleons
+ radiation would prohibit planet formation
– availability of matter would be insufficient for galaxy or star formation
Supernovae eruptions
+ if too distant, too infrequent, or too soon: heavy elements would be too sparse for rocky planets to form; life would not be possible
– if too close, too frequent, or too late: radiation would prevent life from existing for a time or obtaining any comfortable existence
White dwarf binaries - quantity
+ if too many: planetary orbits would be too unstable for life
– if too few: insufficient fluorine would exist for life chemistry
White dwarf binaries - timing
+ if formed too late: fluorine would arrive too late for life chemistry
– if formed too soon: insufficient fluorine production
Number of dimensions in the early universe
+ quantum mechanics, gravity, and relativity could not coexist; life would be impossible
– same result
Number of dimensions in the present universe
– quantum mechanics, gravity, and relativity could not coexist; life would be impossible
+ electron, planet, and star orbits would be unstable, preventing life
Big bang ripples
+ galaxies/galaxy clusters would be too dense for life; black holes would dominate; universe would collapse even before any life-site could form
– galaxies would not form; universe would expand too rapidly
Cosmological constant
+ universe would expand too quickly to form stars capable of sustaining life
– the expansion rate of the universe would be slower; the universe would quickly collapse or too much time would be allowed for gravitational forces to pull matter together, leading to denser and more numerous structures, and making gravitational forces too great either for life to exist comfortably or even for life to begin at all
Additional Technical Note
Above it is stated that the displayed list of fine-tuned parameters is "by no means a complete list" (in contrast to Richard Dawkins' not-especially-beneficial machine with just "eight knobs"). As an example, you might wish to study the remarkable properties of a substance that many think is simple: water. Note this list of some of its properties (it must be noted that this list is only the "tip of the iceberg"), and how some of them qualify as fine-tuned parameters:
- High cohesion
- Adhesion
- Surface tension
- Heat capacity (high heat conductivity)
- High latent heat of evaporation
- Intra-molecular hydrogen bonding
- Finely balanced miscibility (ability to mix)
- Very light as a gas
- Very dense as a liquid
- Hydration (which has many sub-sets)
- Ionization factors
- Density-driven thermal convection
- Expansion on freezing
- Hot water freezes faster than cold water under certain conditions
- Peculiarities of behaviour under differing pressures
- Brine rejection (salt distribution)
And, of course, remember that water is the principal element enabling the construction and maintenance of life (after all, our bodies consist of between 60% and 75% water)!
This intricate device, demonstrating impressive ingenuity and complication, is a crude example of the complex design of our universe.
Additional Notes for the Information-Hungry "Techies"
Note these additional facts that make water a remarkable substance:
- If water was not electrically polar, it would be a gas at room temperature and have an extremely low freezing point, making life impossible. Because of the shape of the water molecule, the distribution of the electrical charge is asymmetric. The oxygen nucleus draws electrons away from the hydrogen nuclei, which leaves the region around the hydrogen nuclei with a net positive charge. The water molecule is thus an electrically polar structure.
- The polar nature of water enables it to form a 'skin' over the surface of a body of water, strong enough to support tiny, light objects. This is known as surface tension. Water has the highest surface tension of all common liquids. Water is therefore highly cohesive. Water molecules interact strongly with one another through hydrogen bonds. These interactions are apparent in the structure of ice. Networks of hydrogen bonds hold the structure together; similar interactions link molecules in liquid water and account for the cohesion of liquid water, although, in the liquid state, some of the hydrogen bonds are broken. The highly cohesive nature of water dramatically affects the interactions between molecules in aqueous solution.
- Water has a great capacity to hold heat energy, with the highest heat of vaporization of most common substances (thus a high boiling point — enabling it to remain as a liquid on the surface of the warm Earth). When water evaporates, it absorbs considerable amounts of heat.
- Water has a high latent heat of fusion; when ice is formed, considerable amounts of heat energy is released. Water therefore acts as a buffer against temperature changes and keeps earth’s climate from rapidly fluctuating.
- When water freezes, it becomes less dense — hence ice floats. If this did not happen, the following catastrophic effects would occur: (1) lakes and ponds would freeze from the bottom up, (2) the habitat of aquatic life would not exist, (3) without the insulation of liquid water below ice, temperature fluctuations would be more extreme, disrupting the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems, (4) the gas exchange that allows for oxygenation of water would be depleted, and aquatic life would not survive, and (5) earth's climate would be affected on a large scale due to unpredictable thermal dynamics.
- Possibly most important for the chemical processes of life: water is a universal solvent. It has the ability to dissolve more substances than any other liquid (due, once again, to many "fine-tuned parameters" -- e.g. water's polar characteristics and the collective quantum principles that enable hydrogen bonding). When dissolved in water, salts turn into the ions Sodium chloride. Table salt, NaCl becomes Na+ and Cl–. This allows for many free radicals to be available for the chemistry of life.
- Water is very dense, some 800 times denser than air. This density allows large and small organisms to float along easily for long periods of time (compared to land, where terrestrial life must counter gravity and greater friction with each step in order to move.)
- Water absorbs light rays very quickly (important to photosynthetic life, which is only possible where light penetrates, and light is absorbed as deep as 600 feet beneath the surface of the oceans).
- Water absorbs light differentially. The red end of the light spectrum is absorbed in shallow water while the blues and greens penetrate the deepest (important for plants because different plants use different parts of the light spectrum for photosynthesis, and the differential absorption can determine the vertical distribution of marine plants).
Sources: Science Times, Open University, Encyclopaedia Britannica, NuWater.com, LibreTexts, Science Learning Hub.
An Example of The Cascade Effect of Fine-tuned Items
There are many properties of atomic particles, and a change to any one of these would have a catastrophic effect on items that belong to the macro scale of "classical" physics: in other words, tiny atoms could fail to form larger necessary objects essential for life. The harmony of these properties or "laws" is the underlying message of physicist Arvin Ash (arvinash.com) in his YouTube presentation "How Do Elements Get Their Physical Properties?"
Take for example protons and electrons. Here's just one sample discussion:
The identity of a given element depends on the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. This in turn has a considerable bearing on the influential behaviour of neutrons in the nucleus, as well as the number of electrons that are allowed to belong to that atom. And the electrons in their turn greatly affect the complex chemical reactions that occur between this and other elements. And this also restricts the properties of these elements: their colour, weight, volatility, etc. This has yet further implications, too many to list, for all of the elements that are possible in nature.
This is one of numerous examples of the aforementioned overall harmony at every level of the multi-tier project.
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