Physics versus Mathematics



xxein:

I think mathematics is an abstract set and must be differentiated from
a physical set. After all, two H2's don't combine to make H4's.
Regardless of this example, do you really think that all mathematical
results would really produce a physical result?

Math is a descriptive tool to help quantify physical relations and
actions. Math cannot force the relation-action.

It might provide insight if it captures the essence of the physic, but
it cannot 'make' it.

You read many of these posts. What makes a math incorrect? Because
it doesn't apply to the physic you want it to? Why should any math be
a sole dictator of a physic? We hardly know the physic to start with.

The math 'applications' are fine when restricted to the bounds of the
physic. They are also fine when they are a pure math. Thus the
difference.


I fully agree with what you said.
Specific with the sentence:
Mathematics is a descriptive tool to help to quantify the
physical relations.

The question to ask what type of mathematics is
necessary to describe (understand as much as possible)
all of physics ?

Are complex numbers required ?
Can you do without them ?

Nicolaas Vroom
http://users.pandora.be/nicvroom/


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