It was not until some weeks later that I realized there is no need to restrict oneself to 2 by 2 matrices. One could go on to 4 by 4 matrices, and the problem is then easily soluable. In retrospect, it seems strange that one can be so much held up over such an elementary point. The resulting wave equation for the electron turned out to be very successful. It led to correct values for the spin and the magnetic moment. This was quite unexpected. The work all followed from a study of pretty mathematics, without any thought being given to these physical properties of the electron.
Pick a flower on Earth and you move the farthest star. - Paul Dirac
Pick a flower on Earth and you move the farthest star.
- Paul Dirac
Living is worthwhile if one can contribute in some small way to this endless chain of progress. - Paul Dirac
Living is worthwhile if one can contribute in some small way to this endless chain of progress.
Scientific progress is measured in units of courage, not intelligence. - Paul Dirac
Scientific progress is measured in units of courage, not intelligence.
A theory with mathematical beauty is more likely to be correct than an ugly one that fits some experimental data. - Paul Dirac
A theory with mathematical beauty is more likely to be correct than an ugly one that fits some experimental data.
There are always more people who prefer to speak than to listen. - Paul Dirac
There are always more people who prefer to speak than to listen.
God used beautiful mathematics in creating the world. - Paul Dirac
God used beautiful mathematics in creating the world.
If there is a God, he's a great mathematician. - Paul Dirac
If there is a God, he's a great mathematician.
The aim of science is to make difficult things understandable in a simpler way; the aim of poetry is to state simple things in an incomprehensible wa… - Paul Dirac
The aim of science is to make difficult things understandable in a simpler way; the aim of poetry is to state simple things in an incomprehensible wa…
A physical law must possess mathematical beauty. - Paul Dirac
A physical law must possess mathematical beauty.
Login to join the discussion
Login to join the discussion