Fundamental constants and tests of general relativity - Theoretical and cosmological considerations

Understand

The tests of the constancy of the fundamental constants are tests of the local position invariance and thus of the equivalence principle.

• We summarize the various constraints that have been obtained and then describe the connection between varying constants and extensions of general relativity.
• To finish, we discuss the link with cosmology, and more particularly with the acceleration of the Universe.
• We take the opportunity to summarize various possibilities to test general relativity (but also the Copernican principle) on cosmological scales.