Large Number Hypothesis: A Review

Abstract

Large dimensionless numbers, arising out of ratios of various physical constants, intrigued many scientists, especially Dirac. Relying on the coincidence of large numbers, Dirac arrived at the revolutionary hypothesis that the gravitational constant $G$ should vary inversely as the cosmic time $t$. This hypothesis of Dirac, known as Large Number Hypothesis (LNH), sparked off many speculations, arguments and new ideas in terms of applications. Works done by several authors with LNH as their basic platform are reviewed in this work. Relationship between some of those works are pointed out here. Possibility of time-variations of physical constants other than $G$ are also discussed.