Exploring the Power of Geometric Calculus: Differential Forms in Physics

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of differential forms in physics and mentions Dr. David Hestenes' approach to incorporating them through Geometric Calculus. The paper "Differential Forms in Geometric Calculus" argues for the integration of these two mathematical systems and highlights their application in relativistic physics, also known as Spacetime Calculus. The discussion also touches on the growing popularity of differential forms in modern texts on vector analysis.
  • #1
laserblue
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I like the Geometric Algebra approach to incorporating differential forms into physics that is taken by Dr. David Hestenes and contained in his numerous works over the last few decades but see no mention of Geometric Calculus here. Are you familiar with it?

http://geocalc.clas.asu.edu/pdf/DIF_FORM.pdf
"DIFFERENTIAL FORMS IN GEOMETRIC CALCULUS by Dr. David Hestenes

Abstract: Geometric calculus and the calculus of differential forms have common origins in Grassmann algebra but different lines of historical development, so mathematicians have been slow to recognize that they belong together in a single mathematical system. This paper reviews the rationale for embedding differential forms in the more comprehensive system of Geometric Calculus. The most significant application of the system is to relativistic physics where it is referred to as Spacetime Calculus. The fundamental integral theorems are discussed along with applications to physics, especially electrodynamics."


I first encountered differential forms in the classic GRAVITATION by Misner, Thorne and Wheeler but I later found that electrical engineers I knew considered it to be a fancy theoretician's formalism impractical for everyday use.Yet, differential forms have become more and more popular it seems and some of the more modern introductory texts on vector analysis have a chapter on differential forms.
 
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Link to work cited in previous post is now fixed.
 

1. What are differential forms?

Differential forms are mathematical objects used in multivariable calculus and differential geometry to describe properties of surfaces and higher-dimensional spaces. They are a generalization of vectors and covectors, and can be thought of as objects that assign a numerical value to each point in a space.

2. How are differential forms different from traditional vector calculus?

While traditional vector calculus uses vectors and vector fields to describe quantities such as velocity and acceleration, differential forms allow for a more flexible and powerful mathematical framework. They can be used to describe not only vector quantities, but also more complex quantities such as flux and curvature.

3. What is the significance of the exterior derivative in differential forms?

The exterior derivative is a key operation in differential forms that allows for the differentiation of forms of different degrees. It is a generalization of the gradient, curl, and divergence operations in traditional vector calculus, and is essential for understanding the behavior of forms in a given space.

4. How are differential forms applied in real-world problems?

Differential forms have a wide range of applications in physics, engineering, and other fields. They are used to describe physical phenomena such as fluid flow and electromagnetic fields, and are also used in mathematical models for optimization and control problems.

5. What are some resources for learning more about differential forms?

There are many resources available for learning about differential forms, including textbooks, online courses, and interactive tutorials. Some popular books on the subject include "Differential Forms in Algebraic Topology" by Raoul Bott and Loring Tu, and "Forms, Functions, and Universal Spaces" by John M. Lee. Online resources such as Khan Academy and MIT OpenCourseWare also offer free courses on differential forms.

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