Exploring Possibilities of Alternative Definitions in Physics

[pivoxa15]

I've always wondered what would happen if we had different definitions in physics, what theories will come out and would they turn out to be simpler or more elegant then existing ones. Moreoever new definitions may not get us into the quaral that exists in the theory of QM.

Anyone else wondered about this? Sites that contain this sort of thing? Or are the definitions we have at the moment the optimal ones?

 

[quasar987]

I don't know if they're optimal (what does this even mean?), but they're good enough.

Optimal choices of definitions is very subjective. Typically, lots of complicated and unintuitive definitions will make the theorems simpler to prove. This is the case with exterior calculus. The definitions are heavy and difficult to understand intuitively, but with this formalism, Stoke's theorem is a proved by a mere calculation.

A topic somewhat related to your question is Hilbert's 6th problem: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilbert's_sixth_problem

 

[sir-pinski]

It is certainly interesting to think about the possibilities of alternative definitions in physics. The field of physics is constantly evolving, and new theories and explanations are being developed all the time. It is possible that alternative definitions could lead to new insights and theories that could potentially simplify our understanding of the universe.

One potential benefit of exploring alternative definitions in physics is that it could help us to bridge the gap between classical physics and quantum mechanics. As you mentioned, there is still a lot of debate and disagreement in the field of quantum mechanics, and alternative definitions could provide a new perspective that may help resolve some of these conflicts.

There are definitely others who have also pondered this idea. In fact, there are several websites and forums dedicated to discussing alternative theories and definitions in physics. These discussions can be thought-provoking and can lead to new insights and ideas.

However, it is also important to consider that the definitions we have at the moment have been rigorously tested and have stood the test of time. It is possible that alternative definitions could lead to simpler or more elegant theories, but it is also possible that they may not hold up to experimental evidence. Therefore, it is important to approach alternative definitions with a critical and open mind, and to continue to test and validate any new theories that may arise.

In conclusion, exploring possibilities of alternative definitions in physics can be a fascinating and worthwhile endeavor. It can potentially lead to new insights and theories, and may help us to better understand the complexities of the universe. However, it is important to approach this exploration with caution and to continue to test and validate any new theories that may arise.