Coupling constant

In physics, a coupling constant, is a number that determines the strength of an interaction or the strength of a given force. For example, the electric charge of a particle is a coupling constant.

In complex systems, the coupling constant is related to the number of acquaintances or anchorage points for a link with a certain circle or social group. If someone has many acquaintances in a group and a large circle of friends, he has a "strong coupling" with it, if he knows only a few and his circle of friends is small, the coupling is weak, too.

Links

• Wikipedia link for coupling constant