In physics, the algebra of physical space (APS) is the use of the Clifford or geometric algebra Cℓ3 of the three-dimensional Euclidean space as a model for (3+1)-dimensional space-time, representing a point in space-time via a paravector (3-dimensional vector plus a 1-dimensional scalar).
The Clifford algebra Cℓ3 has a faithful representation, generated by Pauli matrices, on the spin representation C2; further, Cℓ3 is isomorphic to the even subalgebra of the 3+1 Clifford algebra, Cℓ0
3,1.
APS can be used to construct a compact, unified and geometrical formalism for both classical and quantum mechanics.
APS should not be confused with spacetime algebra (STA), which concerns the Clifford algebra Cℓ1,3(R) of the four dimensional Minkowski spacetime.
Read more about Algebra Of Physical Space: Special Relativity, Classical Electrodynamics, Relativistic Quantum Mechanics, Classical Spinor
Famous quotes containing the words algebra of, algebra, physical and/or space:
“Poetry has become the higher algebra of metaphors.”
—José Ortega Y Gasset (18831955)
“Poetry has become the higher algebra of metaphors.”
—José Ortega Y Gasset (18831955)
“The entire construct of the medical model of mental illnessMwhat is it but an analogy? Between physical medicine and psychiatry: the mind is said to be subject to disease in the same manner as the body. But whereas in physical medicine there are verifiable physiological proofsin damaged or affected tissue, bacteria, inflammation, cellular irregularityin mental illness alleged socially unacceptable behavior is taken as a symptom, even as proof, of pathology.”
—Kate Millett (b. 1934)
“But alas! I never could keep a promise. I do not blame myself for this weakness, because the fault must lie in my physical organization. It is likely that such a very liberal amount of space was given to the organ which enables me to make promises, that the organ which should enable me to keep them was crowded out. But I grieve not. I like no half-way things. I had rather have one faculty nobly developed than two faculties of mere ordinary capacity.”
—Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (18351910)