Discrete or Continuous?
The Quest for Fundamental Length in Modern Physics
Seiten
2014
Cambridge University Press (Verlag)
978-1-107-06280-1 (ISBN)
Cambridge University Press (Verlag)
978-1-107-06280-1 (ISBN)
Combining novel conceptual analysis, fresh historical perspectives, and concrete physical examples, this unique book tells the story of the search for discrete length in modern physics, presenting philosophical theses in an accessible format that avoids complex mathematics, and which sheds light on one of the most thought-provoking topics in physics.
The idea of infinity plays a crucial role in our understanding of the universe, with the infinite spacetime continuum perhaps the best-known example - but is spacetime really continuous? Throughout the history of science, many have felt that the continuum model is an unphysical idealization, and that spacetime should be thought of as 'quantized' at the smallest of scales. Combining novel conceptual analysis, a fresh historical perspective, and concrete physical examples, this unique book tells the story of the search for the fundamental unit of length in modern physics, from early classical electrodynamics to current approaches to quantum gravity. Novel philosophical theses, with direct implications for theoretical physics research, are presented and defended in an accessible format that avoids complex mathematics. Blending history, philosophy, and theoretical physics, this refreshing outlook on the nature of spacetime sheds light on one of the most thought-provoking topics in modern physics.
The idea of infinity plays a crucial role in our understanding of the universe, with the infinite spacetime continuum perhaps the best-known example - but is spacetime really continuous? Throughout the history of science, many have felt that the continuum model is an unphysical idealization, and that spacetime should be thought of as 'quantized' at the smallest of scales. Combining novel conceptual analysis, a fresh historical perspective, and concrete physical examples, this unique book tells the story of the search for the fundamental unit of length in modern physics, from early classical electrodynamics to current approaches to quantum gravity. Novel philosophical theses, with direct implications for theoretical physics research, are presented and defended in an accessible format that avoids complex mathematics. Blending history, philosophy, and theoretical physics, this refreshing outlook on the nature of spacetime sheds light on one of the most thought-provoking topics in modern physics.
Amit Hagar is an Associate Professor in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, where he specializes in the foundations of modern physics.
1. Introduction; 2. Arguments from mathematics; 3. Arguments from philosophy; 4. Electrodynamics, QED, and early QFT; 5. Quantum gravity: prehistory; 6. Einstein on the notion of length; 7. Quantum gravity: current approaches; 8. The proof is in the pudding; 9. Coda.
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 1.5.2014 |
|---|---|
| Zusatzinfo | 7 Line drawings, unspecified |
| Verlagsort | Cambridge |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 183 x 249 mm |
| Gewicht | 660 g |
| Themenwelt | Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Quantenphysik |
| Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Relativitätstheorie | |
| ISBN-10 | 1-107-06280-2 / 1107062802 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-107-06280-1 / 9781107062801 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
Mehr entdecken
aus dem Bereich
aus dem Bereich
Grundlegende Vorstellungen und Begriffe
Buch | Hardcover (2024)
Carl Hanser (Verlag)
CHF 62,95
