Dr Transport said:David Hilbert said : "Physics is getting too difficult for Physicists"
failexam said:No wonder there's a controversy regarding Hilbert's contribution to general relativity.
Mathematicians can do good work in physics if, and only if they are able to ill-define their mathematical concepts, i.e. if they understand that physics is ill-defined mathematical structure.damabo said:indeed, this is the question:
"to what degree can mathematicians research physics and vice versa ?"
also, say you're in the analysis department of math for instance, to what degree is your research confined to the branch of analysis?
thanks
Hilbert knew all the mathematical structures of GR 20 years before 1916, so why didn't he formulate GR 20 years ealier than Einstein?failexam said:Well, obviously Hilbert's article didn't pop out of thin air!
But couldn't Einstein have formulated his theory quicker if he had been more adept in mathematics?
The relationship between mathematics and physics is very close. Mathematics provides the language and tools for describing and analyzing physical phenomena, while physics uses these mathematical models to explain and predict the behavior of the physical world.
Yes, mathematicians can make significant contributions to the field of physics. They can develop new mathematical models and equations to describe physical phenomena, as well as use their expertise in mathematical analysis to help solve complex problems in physics.
Mathematicians and physicists often collaborate on research projects, where they combine their knowledge and expertise to solve problems in both mathematics and physics. They may also attend conferences and workshops together to share their findings and discuss potential collaborations.
Yes, mathematics plays a crucial role in making new discoveries in physics. Physicists often use mathematical techniques to analyze and interpret data from experiments, as well as to develop new theories and models to explain the behavior of the physical world.
Yes, it is essential for physicists to have a strong understanding of mathematics. Many concepts and theories in physics are based on mathematical principles, and without a solid mathematical foundation, it would be challenging to make progress in the field of physics.