Stephen Black quoted John Gribbin as follows: "The best things in science are both beautiful and simple, a fact that all too many teachers conceal from their students"
This is an attractive idea, but by no means always the case (as far as the "simple" is concerned). The equation(s) top of the list of greatest equations as voted for by a group of physicists recently were the electromagnet equations of James Clerk Maxwell. No one would deny that this achievement ranks with the greatest in science, but if anyone hopes it is simple, take a look at http://www.physicsweb.org/articles/world/17/10/2/1/pwpov2%5F10%2D04 My favourite is the one that came second, Euler's equation. In words it reads: 'e' to the power of ('i' times 'pi') equals minus 1. (See second in the above cited list for the proper mathematical notation.) This is enough to take one's breath away. 'i' is the square root of minus one (i.e., it is imaginary -- in layman's language, it doesn't exist). So how come that a simple expression involving two transcendental numbers (exponential 'e' and 'pi') and the imaginary 'i' can turn out to be equal to precisely minus one? Awe-inspiring! (Comments on this equation by respondents to the poll: "uncanny and sublime"; "filled with cosmic beauty"; and "mind-blowing".) See the full article with a fascinating exposition of the top equations at: http://www.physicsweb.org/articles/world/17/10/2/1#pwpov2_10-04 Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.human-nature.com/esterson/index.html http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=10 http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=57 http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=58 http://www.psychiatrie-und-ethik.de/infc/1_gesamt_en.html --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
