A foundational principle underlies all of physics, asserting that particles and light move along paths that minimize a quantity called “action.” It unifies classical mechanics, quantum theory, and more by suggesting that nature follows a rule of optimal efficiency.
The Principle of Least Action
Related Posts
Cosmology is at a tipping point – we may be on the verge of discovering new physics
X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Infrared: (Herschel) ESA/NASA/Caltech, (Spitzer) NASA/JPL/Caltech, (WISE) NASA/JPL/Caltech; Infrared: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI/Webb ERO Production Team; Image processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Major,…
September 26, 2024
A celebrated AI has learned a new trick: How to do chemistry
Figuring out what makes some proteins glow requires an understanding of chemistry. eLife – the journal, CC BY-SA…
July 5, 2022
What is a semiconductor? An electrical engineer explains how these critical electronic components work and how they are made
A silicon disc, or ‘wafer,’ yields dozens of semiconductor chips. Steve Jurvetson/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY Trevor Thornton, Arizona…
August 26, 2022
Cancer drug pollution is a growing global concern
Cytostatic drugs help treat a range of cancers but may also pose a threat to ecosystems. (Shutterstock) Valérie…
May 29, 2024