Differential Equations: Laws of Nature

AI Thread Summary
Both Newtonian physics and General Relativity express the laws of nature using differential equations. Newton's second law, F=ma, can be represented as a differential equation, illustrating this concept. General Relativity primarily involves systems of partial differential equations, making it a clear example of this principle. Special Relativity also incorporates differential equations, though they are generally less complex than those found in General Relativity. The discussion confirms that scientific laws across these frameworks are indeed expressed in the form of differential equations.
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Is it true that both Newtonian Physics and Relativity express the laws of nature in the form of differential equations?
 
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Simply put, yes. Even the most innocent equations in Newtonian physics you can think of, for example:

F=ma

are often differential equation in a more general case.

F= m\frac{d^2 x}{dt^2}

General Relativity involves mostly systems of partial differential equations, so that's a no brainer.
 
Proggle said:
Simply put, yes. Even the most innocent equations in Newtonian physics you can think of, for example:

F=ma

are often differential equation in a more general case.

F= m\frac{d^2 x}{dt^2}

General Relativity involves mostly systems of partial differential equations, so that's a no brainer.

and this is also the case with special relativity?
 
Not sure which case you're referring to...

SR has plenty of differential equations involved (the very fact that the velocity of objects is involved in nearly everything in SR would suggest this fact), but not of the type and complexity of GR.
 
Proggle said:
Not sure which case you're referring to...

SR has plenty of differential equations involved (the very fact that the velocity of objects is involved in nearly everything in SR would suggest this fact), but not of the type and complexity of GR.

I was just verifying that SP expresses scientific laws as differential equations
 
Thanx for this information

and I want add this:

http://www.9m.com/upload/16-10-2007/0.9314701192484225.JPG
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
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