Stephen Wolfram

JANUARY 31, 2023

But by the end of the 1800s, with the existence of molecules increasingly firmly established, the Second Law began to often be treated as an almost-mathematically-proven necessary law of physics. There were still mathematical loose ends, as well as issues such as its application to living systems and to systems involving gravity.

Energy 88

Energy Physics Argumentation Mathematics 88

Stephen Wolfram

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Many would say that modern exact science was launched in the 1600s with the introduction of what we can call the “ mathematical paradigm ”: the idea that things in the world can be described by mathematical equations—and that their behavior can be determined by finding solutions to these equations.

Physics 65

Physics Science Sciences Mathematics 65

Stephen Wolfram

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Many would say that modern exact science was launched in the 1600s with the introduction of what we can call the “ mathematical paradigm ”: the idea that things in the world can be described by mathematical equations—and that their behavior can be determined by finding solutions to these equations.

Science 64

Science Sciences Physics Mathematics 64

Stephen Wolfram

DECEMBER 13, 2021

the same integral could still be done, but only in terms of elliptic integrals : Mathematical Functions: A Milestone Is Reached. Special functions are in a sense a way of packaging mathematical knowledge : once you know that the solution to your equation is a Lamé function , that immediately tells you lots of mathematical things about it.

Construction 67

Construction Computer Physics Accessibility 67

Stephen Wolfram

AUGUST 22, 2023

It didn’t help that his knowledge of physics was at best spotty (and, for example, I don’t think he ever really learned calculus). In 2015 Ed told me a nice story about his time at Caltech: In 1952–53, I was a student in Linus Pauling’s class where he lectured Freshman Chemistry at Caltech. And it was agreed that we would do it.

Computer 68

Computer Physics Science Sciences 68

Stephen Wolfram

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

How does one tie all this down with rigorous, mathematical-style proofs? Once one has the idea of “equilibrium”, one can then start to think of its properties as purely being functions of certain parameters—and this opens up all sorts of calculus-based mathematical opportunities. Well, it’s difficult.

Computer 92

Computer Energy Physics Construction 92