A New Principle in Physiscs: the Principle "Finiteness", and Some Consequences
Abstract
In this paper I propose a new principle in physics: the principle of "finiteness". It stems from the definition of physics as a science that deals (among other things) with measurable dimensional physical quantities. Since measurement results, including their errors, are always finite, the principle of finiteness postulates that the mathematical formulation of "legitimate" laws of physics should prevent exactly zero or infinite solutions. Some consequences of the principle of finiteness are discussed, in general, and then more specifically in the fields of special relativity, quantum mechanics, and quantum gravity. The consequences are derived independently of any other theory or principle in physics. I propose "finiteness" as a postulate (like the constancy of the speed of light in vacuum, "c"), as opposed to a notion whose validity has to be corroborated by, or derived theoretically or experimentally from other facts, theories, or principles.
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 984346
- Report Number(s):
- PPPL-4529
TRN: US1006428
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-ACO2-09CH11466
- Resource Type:
- Technical Report
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; EXACT SOLUTIONS; MATHEMATICAL LOGIC; PHYSICS; QUANTUM GRAVITY; QUANTUM MECHANICS; RELATIVITY THEORY; VELOCITY; AstrophysicsQuantum Mechanics, Relativistic Plasma
Citation Formats
Sternlieb, Abraham. A New Principle in Physiscs: the Principle "Finiteness", and Some Consequences. United States: N. p., 2010.
Web. doi:10.2172/984346.
Sternlieb, Abraham. A New Principle in Physiscs: the Principle "Finiteness", and Some Consequences. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/984346
Sternlieb, Abraham. 2010.
"A New Principle in Physiscs: the Principle "Finiteness", and Some Consequences". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/984346. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/984346.
@article{osti_984346,
title = {A New Principle in Physiscs: the Principle "Finiteness", and Some Consequences},
author = {Sternlieb, Abraham},
abstractNote = {In this paper I propose a new principle in physics: the principle of "finiteness". It stems from the definition of physics as a science that deals (among other things) with measurable dimensional physical quantities. Since measurement results, including their errors, are always finite, the principle of finiteness postulates that the mathematical formulation of "legitimate" laws of physics should prevent exactly zero or infinite solutions. Some consequences of the principle of finiteness are discussed, in general, and then more specifically in the fields of special relativity, quantum mechanics, and quantum gravity. The consequences are derived independently of any other theory or principle in physics. I propose "finiteness" as a postulate (like the constancy of the speed of light in vacuum, "c"), as opposed to a notion whose validity has to be corroborated by, or derived theoretically or experimentally from other facts, theories, or principles.},
doi = {10.2172/984346},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/984346},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jun 25 00:00:00 EDT 2010},
month = {Fri Jun 25 00:00:00 EDT 2010}
}