Introduction to Dirac's Conjecture

  • Thread starter Thread starter earth2
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Conjecture
AI Thread Summary
Dirac's conjecture relates to the idea that gauge transformations in a physical system are generated by the system's constraints. Participants in the discussion seek accessible resources to understand this concept without delving into Dirac's original 1950s paper. There is some confusion about the specific nature of Dirac's conjecture, with references made to his large numbers hypothesis and a biography titled "The Strangest Man." Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for a more pedagogical introduction to Dirac's conjecture. Understanding this concept is essential for grasping its implications in theoretical physics.
earth2
Messages
82
Reaction score
0
Hey there!

I want to make myself familiar with Dirac's conjeture. Does anyone know a good source for it? I don't want to read his paper form the 50ies and hope there is a more pedagogical introduction of the topic... :)

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What is Dirac's conjecture? I just finished reading an excellent biography about Dirac, and I am not sure what you mean. His large numbers hypothesis?
 
George Jones said:
What is Dirac's conjecture? I just finished reading an excellent biography about Dirac, and I am not sure what you mean. His large numbers hypothesis?

Was it "The Strangest Man"?
 
Yes.
 
Hey!

Dirac's conjecture basically says that gauge transformations of a system are generated by the system's constraints. (At least I think that it is called Dirac's conjecture... :) )
 
Thread 'Gauss' law seems to imply instantaneous electric field'
Imagine a charged sphere at the origin connected through an open switch to a vertical grounded wire. We wish to find an expression for the horizontal component of the electric field at a distance ##\mathbf{r}## from the sphere as it discharges. By using the Lorenz gauge condition: $$\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A} + \frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t}=0\tag{1}$$ we find the following retarded solutions to the Maxwell equations If we assume that...
Maxwell’s equations imply the following wave equation for the electric field $$\nabla^2\mathbf{E}-\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf{E}}{\partial t^2} = \frac{1}{\varepsilon_0}\nabla\rho+\mu_0\frac{\partial\mathbf J}{\partial t}.\tag{1}$$ I wonder if eqn.##(1)## can be split into the following transverse part $$\nabla^2\mathbf{E}_T-\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf{E}_T}{\partial t^2} = \mu_0\frac{\partial\mathbf{J}_T}{\partial t}\tag{2}$$ and longitudinal part...

Similar threads

Back
Top