Diffeomorphism 1970-01-01
A diffeomorphism is a concept from differential geometry and is used to describe a certain type of relationship between smooth manifolds. More formally, a diffeomorphism is a bijective (one-to-one and onto) function between two smooth manifolds that is smooth (infinitely differentiable) and whose inverse is also smooth.
Dirac operator 1970-01-01
The Dirac operator is a fundamental mathematical object in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, particularly in the context of spin-½ particles, such as electrons. It is typically associated with the Dirac equation, which describes the behavior of relativistic fermions and incorporates both quantum mechanics and special relativity.
Dirichlet integral 1970-01-01
The Dirichlet integral refers to a specific improper integral that arises in various fields of mathematical analysis and is usually expressed in the form: \[ \int_0^\infty \frac{\sin x}{x} \, dx \] This integral is known as the Dirichlet integral, and it is significant in the study of Fourier transforms and oscillatory integrals.
Double pendulum 1970-01-01
A double pendulum is a system consisting of two pendulums attached end to end. It is an example of a complex mechanical system that exhibits chaotic behavior. The first pendulum is fixed at one end and swings freely, while the second pendulum is attached to the end of the first pendulum and also swings freely. The double pendulum is notable for its rich dynamics; its motion depends on several factors, including the initial angles and velocities of each pendulum.
Ehrenfest theorem 1970-01-01
The Ehrenfest theorem is a fundamental result in quantum mechanics that relates the time evolution of the expected values (or expectation values) of quantum observables to classical mechanics. It essentially bridges the gap between classical and quantum dynamics.
Einstein manifold 1970-01-01
An Einstein manifold is a Riemannian manifold \((M, g)\) where the Ricci curvature is proportional to the metric tensor \(g\). Mathematically, this relationship can be expressed as: \[ \text{Ric}(g) = \lambda g \] where \(\text{Ric}(g)\) is the Ricci curvature tensor and \(\lambda\) is a constant, often referred to as the "Einstein constant.
Elastic pendulum 1970-01-01
An elastic pendulum is a mechanical system that combines the principles of a traditional pendulum with elastic properties, typically involving a mass (or bob) suspended from a spring or elastic material. The elastic pendulum demonstrates interesting dynamics because the motion is governed by both gravitational forces and spring (or elastic) forces.
Electromagnetic wave equation 1970-01-01
The electromagnetic wave equation describes the propagation of electric and magnetic fields in space and time. It is derived from Maxwell's equations, which govern classical electromagnetism.
Equipotential 1970-01-01
Equipotential refers to a concept in physics and engineering, particularly in the context of electric fields and gravitational fields. An equipotential surface is a three-dimensional surface on which every point has the same potential energy. ### Key Points about Equipotential Surfaces: 1. **Constant Potential**: On an equipotential surface, the potential difference between any two points is zero.
Euclidean random matrix 1970-01-01
A Euclidean random matrix typically refers to a random matrix model that is studied within a Euclidean framework, often in relation to random matrix theory (RMT). Random matrices are matrices where the entries are random variables, and they are analyzed to understand their spectral properties, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and various statistical behaviors.
Fermi's golden rule 1970-01-01
Fermi's golden rule is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics that describes the transition rate between quantum states due to a perturbation. It provides a formula to calculate the probability per unit time of a system transitioning from an initial state to a final state when subjected to a time-dependent perturbation.
Field (physics) 1970-01-01
In physics, a "field" is a physical quantity that has a value for each point in space and time. Fields are fundamental concepts used to describe various physical phenomena, and they can be categorized into different types depending on their nature and the forces they describe. There are several important types of fields in physics: 1. **Scalar Fields**: These fields are characterized by a single value (a scalar) at every point in space and time.
Five Equations That Changed the World 1970-01-01
"Five Equations That Changed the World" is a book by Michael Guillen that explores the significance of five mathematical equations that have had a profound impact on science, technology, and our understanding of the universe. The book aims to make complex mathematical concepts accessible to a wider audience by explaining how these equations have shaped modern thought and advanced human knowledge.
Floer homology 1970-01-01
Floer homology is a powerful and sophisticated tool in the field of differential topology and geometric topology. It was introduced by Andreas Floer in the late 1980s and has since become a central part of modern mathematical research, particularly in the study of symplectic geometry, low-dimensional topology, and gauge theory. ### Key Concepts: 1. **Topological Context**: Floer homology is defined for a manifold and often arises in the study of infinite-dimensional spaces of loops or paths.
Fourier transform 1970-01-01
The Fourier transform is a mathematical operation that transforms a function of time (or space) into a function of frequency. It is a fundamental tool in both applied mathematics and engineering, primarily used for analyzing and processing signals.
Fourier–Bros–Iagolnitzer transform 1970-01-01
The Fourier–Bros–Iagolnitzer transform is an extension of the classical Fourier transform, primarily used in the context of distribution theory and non-commutative analysis. It generalizes the Fourier transform to incorporate the behavior of distributions and functions that may not be well-behaved under standard Fourier transforms.
Functional integration 1970-01-01
Functional integration is a concept primarily used in the fields of mathematics, physics, and statistics. It extends the idea of integration to functions, particularly in the context of functional spaces where functions themselves are treated as variables. Here are a few key aspects and contexts in which functional integration is relevant: 1. **Mathematics**: In functional analysis, functional integration often refers to the integration of functions defined on function spaces.
Gauge theory 1970-01-01
Gauge theory is a type of field theory in which the Lagrangian (the mathematical function that describes the dynamics of the system) is invariant under certain local transformations, or "gauge transformations." These transformations can vary from point to point in spacetime and are foundational to our understanding of fundamental forces in physics, particularly in the framework of particle physics and the Standard Model. ### Key Concepts 1.
Gauge theory (mathematics) 1970-01-01
Gauge theory is a branch of mathematics and mathematical physics that studies the behavior of fields described by certain types of symmetries, specifically gauge symmetries. In essence, it provides a framework to understand how physical forces and particles interact based on the principles of symmetry. ### Key Concepts in Gauge Theory 1. **Gauge Symmetry**: This is a kind of symmetry that involves transformations of the fields that do not change the physical situation.
Generalized Clifford algebra 1970-01-01
Generalized Clifford algebras are an extension of the standard Clifford algebras defined over a vector space equipped with a quadratic form. They generalize ideas from traditional Clifford algebras to accommodate broader classes of geometrical and algebraic structures. A standard Clifford algebra \( Cl(V, Q) \) is constructed from a finite-dimensional vector space \( V \) over a field (usually the real or complex numbers) together with a non-degenerate quadratic form \( Q \).