LAUSR

Fundamental physical constants provide the upper bound for the speed of sound in condensed matter phases. Two dimensionless fundamental physical constants, the fine structure constant α and the proton-to-electron mass ratio mpme, are attributed a particular importance from the point of view of nuclear synthesis, formation of heavy elements, planets, and life-supporting structures. Here, we show that a combination of these two constants results in a new dimensionless constant that provides the upper bound for the speed of sound in condensed phases, vu. We find that vuc=α(me2mp)12, where c is the speed of light in vacuum. We support this result by a large set of experimental data and first-principles computations for atomic hydrogen. Our result expands the current understanding of how fundamental constants can impose new bounds on important physical properties.