Google turned up this, a portion of a lecture from the physics dep't. at UT (the U. of Tennessee):
The Planck Scale
But we have already seen that if the distance scales become short enough (of atomic dimensions or smaller), the theory of quantum mechanics must be used. Therefore, as we extrapolate back in time to the beginning of the Universe, eventually one would reach a state of sufficient temperature and density that a fully quantum mechanical theory of gravitation would be required. This is called the Planck era, and the corresponding scales of distance, energy, and time are called the Planck scale.
The Planck Scale
Quantity Value
Planck Mass 1.2 x 1019 GeV/c2
Planck Length 1.6 x 10-33 cm
Planck Time 5.4 x 10-44 s
Planck Temperature 1.4 x 1032 K
The Planck scale corresponds to incredibly small distances (or equivalently, incredibly large energies).
I am not capable of interpreting the numbers. I just thought you all might like a def. of the Planck scale.
Quantum foam, Mary? Whoa, I never heard that one--thanks!
Sounds weird, but I am in no position to argue against it.
