MOTION MOUNTAIN

classical physics in a nutshell 325
surprises.
All concepts used so far, be they for motion, space, time or observables, assume that
the infinitely small exists. Special relativity, despite the speed limit, still allows infinitely
small velocities; general relativity, despite its black hole limit, still allows infinitely small
force and power values. Similarly, in the description of electrodynamics and gravitation,
both integrals and derivatives are abbreviations of mathematical processes that use and
assume infinitely small distances and time intervals. In other words, the classical description
of nature introduces and is based on the infinitely small in the description of
motion.
Using the infinitely small as a research tool, the classical description of motion discovers
that energy, momentum, angular momentum and electric charge are conserved.
They are conserved also for infinitely small dimensions or time intervals. In other words,
there are no surprises in motion.
The detailed study of conservation has lead us to a strong conclusion: the infinitely
small shows us thatmotionisdeterministic.The existence of real surprises would contradictdeterminism.
Thelackofsurprisesimpliesthelackmiracles.Indeed,somepeoplearguethatinfinity
is the necessaryingredient to perform miracles. Classical physics showsthat this is not
the case. Conservation and the lack of surprises also imply that motion and nature are
not described by concepts such as ‘punishment’ or ‘reward’ or ‘fairness’.This is also the
case for disasters and catastrophes. Conservation and the lack of surprises also imply that
motion and nature are not designed and have no aim. Some people claim the opposite.;
they are mistaken.
Classical physics is the absence of surprises. As reassuring as this result may be, it
leaves us with a doubt. Both special and general relativity have eliminated the existence
of the infinitely large. There is no infinitely large force, power, size, age or speed. Why
should the infinitely small exist, but the infinitely large not? In fact, there are still more
open questions about motion.
Summary: Why have we not yet reached the top of the mountain?
“Themoreimportant fundamental lawsandfacts
ofphysical sciencehaveall beendiscovered,
andthesearenowsofirmlyestablishedthatthe
possibility oftheir everbeing supplanted in
consequenceofnewdiscoveriesisexceedingly
remote... Ourfuturediscoveriesmustbelooked
forinthesixth placeofdecimals.
AlbertMichelson,1894.*”
We might think that we know nature now, as did Albert Michelson at the end of the
nineteenth century. He claimed that electrodynamics and Galilean physics implied that
the major laws of physics were well known.The statement is often quoted as an example
of flawed predictions, since it reflects an incredible mental closure to the world around
him. The origin of every size, shape and colour – from the atoms to humans and up to
* From his address at the dedication ceremony for the Ryerson Physical Laboratory at the University of
Chicago.
Motion Mountain – The Adventure of Physics copyright © Christoph Schiller June 1990–November 2015 free pdf file available at www.motionmountain.net