Has anyone tried to train a neural network to learn physics?

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of a neural network or deep learning program being able to discover classical and quantum physics with enough experimental data to train on. It is mentioned that quantifying the accuracy of the output is necessary for back propagation and that it would be difficult to describe the "wrongness" of a result. The potential use of neural networks in aiding experiments and solving complex physics problems, such as weather or fluid dynamics, is also mentioned.
  • #1
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Have been curious about a thought experiment where, given enough experimental data to train, a sophisticated enough neural network / deep learning program could 'discover' most of classical and quantum physics. Any thoughts?
 
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  • #2
That'd be particularly difficult because to train a neural network, you have to be able to at least in some way quantify how correct or wrong the output currently is, or else it can't do back propagation. It'd be very difficult to describe in any meaningful way how "wrong" a result might be.

You have to be able to at least start the NN off with something that it's trying to do. They'll likely be used in the future to aid with experiments and do trial and error at speeds that no human could even hope to, ala using lasers to create a Bose-Einstein condensate. A neural network replicated a nobel prize winning experiment, did it better than the humans did, and took only an hour.
 
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  • #3
You have the answers in the data, the NN would train against whatever parameter you want it to solve for, then it would just be finding the quantitative relations. Basic mechanics would be fairly trivial take F=MA, train it on a dataset of three vectors M,A,F where F is the Y variable then feed it new M,A data and it will get the relation

But given that NNs universal approximators of nonlinear functions, I would think, given enough data, you could train on some complex physics, say weather or fluid dynamics.​
 
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1. What is a neural network?

A neural network is a type of machine learning algorithm inspired by the structure and function of the human brain. It is composed of interconnected nodes or neurons that process information and learn from data to make predictions or decisions.

2. How is physics related to neural networks?

Physics and neural networks are closely related because neural networks can be used to model physical systems and make predictions based on data. The principles of physics, such as equations and laws, can be incorporated into the structure and training of neural networks to solve complex problems.

3. Has anyone successfully trained a neural network to learn physics?

Yes, there have been several successful attempts to train neural networks to learn physics. For example, researchers have used neural networks to predict the behavior of quantum systems, simulate fluid dynamics, and even discover new physical laws.

4. What are the challenges in training a neural network to learn physics?

One of the main challenges in training a neural network to learn physics is obtaining high-quality data to train the network. Additionally, the complexity and non-linearity of physical systems can make it challenging to design a neural network that can accurately model and predict their behavior.

5. How can a neural network improve our understanding of physics?

By training a neural network to learn physics, we can gain insights and make predictions about physical systems that may not be easily observable or understood through traditional methods. Neural networks can also help identify patterns and relationships in data that can lead to new discoveries and advancements in our understanding of physics.

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