The Language of Physics: The Calculus and the Development of Theoretical Physics in Europe, 1750-1914

This work is the first explicit examination of the key role that mathematics has played in the development of theoretical physics and will undoubtedly challenge the more conventional accounts of its historical development. Although mathematics has long been regarded as the "language" of physics, the connections between these independent disciplines have been far more complex and intimate than previous narratives have shown. The author convincingly demonstrates that practices, methods, and language shaped the development of the field, and are a key to understanding the mergence of the modern academic discipline. Mathematicians and physicists, as well as historians of both disciplines, will find this provocative work of great interest.

1117271883
The Language of Physics: The Calculus and the Development of Theoretical Physics in Europe, 1750-1914

This work is the first explicit examination of the key role that mathematics has played in the development of theoretical physics and will undoubtedly challenge the more conventional accounts of its historical development. Although mathematics has long been regarded as the "language" of physics, the connections between these independent disciplines have been far more complex and intimate than previous narratives have shown. The author convincingly demonstrates that practices, methods, and language shaped the development of the field, and are a key to understanding the mergence of the modern academic discipline. Mathematicians and physicists, as well as historians of both disciplines, will find this provocative work of great interest.

109.99 In Stock
The Language of Physics: The Calculus and the Development of Theoretical Physics in Europe, 1750-1914

The Language of Physics: The Calculus and the Development of Theoretical Physics in Europe, 1750-1914

by Elizabeth Garber
The Language of Physics: The Calculus and the Development of Theoretical Physics in Europe, 1750-1914

The Language of Physics: The Calculus and the Development of Theoretical Physics in Europe, 1750-1914

by Elizabeth Garber

Paperback(1999)

$109.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 6-10 days.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

This work is the first explicit examination of the key role that mathematics has played in the development of theoretical physics and will undoubtedly challenge the more conventional accounts of its historical development. Although mathematics has long been regarded as the "language" of physics, the connections between these independent disciplines have been far more complex and intimate than previous narratives have shown. The author convincingly demonstrates that practices, methods, and language shaped the development of the field, and are a key to understanding the mergence of the modern academic discipline. Mathematicians and physicists, as well as historians of both disciplines, will find this provocative work of great interest.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781461272724
Publisher: Birkh�user Boston
Publication date: 10/10/2012
Edition description: 1999
Pages: 399
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

I: Introduction.- Mathematics and Modern Physics.- Modern Physics.- Earlier Historical Approaches to Modern Physics.- Mathematics as Language.- Organization of the Text.- I: Eighteenth-Century Science.- II: Vibrating Strings and Eighteenth-Century Mechanics.- III: Eighteenth-Century Physics and Mathematics: A Reassessment.- II: Transitions, 1790–1830.- IV: “Empirical Literalism”: Mathematical Versus Experimental Physics in France, 1790–1830.- V: On the Margins: Experimental Physics and Mathematics in the German States, 1790–1830.- VI: On the Margins: Experimental Philosophy and Mathematics in Britain, 1790–1830.- III: Transformations, 1830–1870.- VII: From Natural Philosophy and “Mixed Mathematics” to Theoretical and Experimental Physics: Britain, 1830–1870.- VIII: Physics and Mathematics in the German States, 1830–1870.- IV: Conclusions and Epilogue.- IX: Physics About 1870 and the “Decline” of French Physics.- X: Epilogue: Forging New Relationships: 1870–1914.
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews