"The atomic theory plays a part in physics similar to that of certain auxilliary concepts in mathematics; it is a mathematical model for facilitating the mental reproduction of facts. Although we represent vibrations by the harmonic formula, the phenomena of cooling by exponentials, falls by squares of times, etc., no one will fancy that vibrations in themselves have anything to do with the circular functions, or the motions of falling bodies with squares. It has simply been observed that the relations between the quantities investigated were similar to certain relations obtaining between familiar mathematical functions, and these more familiar ideas are employed as an easy means of supplementing experience. Natural phenomena whose relations are not similar to those functions with which we are familiar, are at present very difficult to reconstruct. But the progress of mathematics may facilitate the matter."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Ernst Mach, The Science of Mechanics (1893)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Atomic_theory
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Atomic theory
71 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Atomic theory →
Related Quotes
"We have come a long way from the classical ideal of objective descriptions. In quantum mechanics the departure from t…"
"Who sees the future? Let us have free scope for all directions of research; away with dogmatism, either atomistic or …"
"It seems not absurd to conceive that at the first Production of mixt Bodies, the Universal Matter whereof they among …"
"Neither is it impossible that of these minute Particles divers of the smallest and neighbouring ones were here and th…"
"I shall not peremptorily deny, that from most of such mixt Bodies as partake either of Animal or Vegetable Nature, th…"
"It may likewise be granted, that those distinct Substances, which Concretes generally either afford or are made up of…"
"And, to prevent mistakes, I must advertize You, that I now mean by Elements, as those Chymists that speak plainest do…"
"Fraunhofer's publication of 1814 did not receive prompt recognition, nor did his papers of 1821 and 1823. Physicists …"
"To try to make a model of an atom by studying its spectrum is like trying to make a model of a grand piano by listeni…"
"In 1763 a Croatian Jesuit named Roger Joseph Boscovich (1711 - 1787) identified the ultimate implication of this mech…"