Fields & Energy

Fields & Energy explores electromagnetism and quantum mechanics, examining historical and philosophical perspectives alongside technical concepts. It aims to bridge the gap between theoretical physics and practical engineering, questioning established scientific norms and proposing a new understanding of fields and energy in physics.

Electromagnetism Quantum Mechanics Scientific History Scientific Philosophy Physics Education Scientific Theories Transmission Lines

The hottest Substack posts of Fields & Energy

And their main takeaways

Reading List for Chapter 1: On Generation and Corruption

359 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🚌 Education Literature Science Mathematics Physics Philosophy
  1. Reading is important for understanding complex topics like calculus and physics. Books like 'Calculus Made Easy' can help beginners grasp the basics more easily.
  2. Narratives and storytelling are essential in both fiction and non-fiction writing. They shape how we understand and connect with concepts.
  3. Scientific revolutions often depend on the context of ideas rather than just rational evidence. This means new theories can take time to be accepted.

The Rosicrucian Enlightenment

299 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
💾 History Occult Philosophy Science Literature Religion Politics
  1. The Rosicrucian movement was influential in shaping modern science, linking spiritual beliefs with the pursuit of knowledge and experimentation.
  2. Prominent figures like John Dee played key roles in merging different ideas of science and magic while promoting natural knowledge for the benefit of humanity.
  3. Despite its initially hopeful visions, the Rosicrucian adventure faced challenges, leading to disappointment and a shift in focus towards reforming society through science and brotherly love.

2.5 René Descartes

259 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy History Logic Metaphysics Epistemology Ethics
  1. René Descartes believed science is connected and trying to find one truth could help explain other truths. He thought this truth came from the 'infinite perfections of God.'
  2. He had some important ideas in physics, like how light bends and motion is conserved. However, some of his ideas turned out to be wrong, showing that science takes time to improve.
  3. Descartes thought that studying nature could help humans control it, but his methods sometimes lacked support from experiments. He lived a relaxed life, which changed when he had to teach in Sweden and sadly got pneumonia.

2.3 Francis Bacon & The Birth of Scientism

279 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
💾 History Philosophy Science Literature Politics Culture
  1. Francis Bacon is often called the father of scientism, which is the belief that science is the only way to know things. He wanted science to help humans gain power over nature.
  2. Bacon introduced the idea of cognitive biases, which are ways our thinking can be flawed. He identified different types of biases that can affect decision-making.
  3. His vision for science included a society where scientists could lead and guide people, similar to kings with the knowledge to improve life and solve problems.

2.6.2 Newton's Legacy

219 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🔬 Science Physics History Mathematics Philosophy Methods
  1. Newton's laws of motion were groundbreaking but took time to be fully understood and accepted. People did not immediately grasp his ideas about forces and motion.
  2. Many later scientists built on Newton's work, refining and developing his theories. Newton laid the groundwork, but others were key in shaping what we now know as classical physics.
  3. Newton's scientific approach set a high standard for future research. His methods are still considered a model for how scientific investigations should be conducted.
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Author's Introduction

439 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🔬 Science Physics Engineering Education Technology History
  1. Physicists and engineers often focus on different aspects of understanding reality. Physicists typically ask 'why' things happen, while engineers ask 'how' to make things work.
  2. Electromagnetism is a key part of our everyday experience, but training in this field has become disconnected between physics theory and practical applications. There's a need for better communication and education between physicists and engineers.
  3. New ideas in science can often be met with skepticism or rejection. It's important to question established norms and be open to fresh perspectives, even if they challenge widely accepted beliefs.

Philosophic Premises of Quantum Mechanics – Part I

359 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🔬 Science Physics Quantum Mechanics Philosophy History Theory
  1. Quantum mechanics is often misunderstood, with some believing it challenges objective reality. However, the issues stem from outdated philosophies rather than quantum theory itself.
  2. During the Weimar period in Germany, there was a strong cultural push against reason and causality. This opposition influenced the development of quantum mechanics during that time.
  3. Many scientists who shaped quantum mechanics were caught between supporting the new ideas and adhering to older principles of causality, leading to mixed interpretations of their findings.

Reading List for Chapter 2: Aristotle, Plato, and Newton

179 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
💾 History Philosophy Literature Education Biographies
  1. Reading about early thinkers like Aristotle and Newton can help us understand science's history better. Their ideas shaped how we think about the world today.
  2. Several recommended books provide a deeper look into the origins of science. Reading these can give you a clearer view of how scientific ideas developed over time.
  3. Exploring different scholars and podcasts can broaden your perspective on science and its history. It helps to seek out various viewpoints for a more complete understanding.

Lord Verulam's Idols

279 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Science Ethics History Literature Education
  1. Francis Bacon proposed a new idea of science that focused on human control over nature and knowledge. His vision was about creating a scholarly place that could influence society.
  2. Bacon is often labeled as the 'Father of Scientism' rather than the father of modern science. This suggests that his ideas shaped more than just scientific methods; they also influenced how we think about science and its role in society.
  3. Literature like Bacon's work, along with stories like 'Brave New World' and '1984,' can serve as warnings about the dangers of letting scientism dominate our lives. They encourage us to think critically about where scientific progress is leading us.

2.4 The Copernican Revolution & the “Horror Vacui”

239 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💾 History Astronomy Physics Philosophy Mathematics
  1. Nicolaus Copernicus suggested that the Earth orbits the sun, which was a big change from the earlier belief that everything revolves around the Earth. This idea helped set the stage for modern astronomy.
  2. Competing theories like heliocentrism and geocentrism can both be useful in explaining observations. Sometimes even incorrect models are used because they make calculations easier.
  3. Galileo and other scientists built on Copernicus' ideas, leading to a deeper understanding of motion, gravity, and the nature of vacuums. This helped shift thinking from old beliefs to observations and experiments.

1.2 A New Understanding

319 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🔬 Science Physics Quantum Electromagnetism
  1. Reality is made up of two separate things: fields and particles. They work together to create the world we see.
  2. Electromagnetism is guided by fields that act like waves, while energy behaves like particles at the quantum level.
  3. This new approach shows that instead of thinking of light as just photons, we should view it as energy guided by fields.

2.6 Isaac Newton

199 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🔬 Science Physics Astronomy Mathematics History Education
  1. Isaac Newton built his laws of motion and gravitation on the earlier work of scientists like Galileo and Kepler. This helped him connect how things move on Earth with how planets move in space.
  2. Newton discovered that gravity acts in a certain way: the force gets weaker as you move further away from an object. He showed this through thinking about how an apple falls and how the moon orbits the Earth.
  3. To explain the gravitational pull of larger bodies, Newton used advanced math concepts, making his ideas more accurate. He proved that the gravity of a round object is the same as if all its mass was concentrated in one point at its center.

2.0 Aristotle, Plato, & Newton

259 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ancient Philosophy Scientific Method Cognition Metaphysics Epistemology
  1. Aristotle and Plato have very different views on existence. Aristotle believes existence comes first, while Plato thinks consciousness creates reality.
  2. The Aristotelian approach focuses on observing nature to discover principles, while the Platonist starts with foundational ideas and deduces from them.
  3. Both schools of thought are important for science. Sometimes we discover new principles like Aristotle, and other times we analyze and apply ideas like Plato.

2.7 Summary and Conclusions

159 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science Physics History Philosophy Methodology Empiricism
  1. Scientists should consider multiple models to explain natural phenomena and not cling to a single theory. Even if an old idea isn't widely accepted anymore, it could still hold value.
  2. Inductive reasoning, based on observations, and deductive reasoning, based on theories, are both vital in scientific discovery. They work together to help us understand the world better.
  3. Our understanding of science evolves over time, with new ideas replacing or revisiting old ones. It's essential to stay open-minded and not assume today's beliefs are the ultimate truth.

1.1 Calculation Versus Understanding: Why Care?

319 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Political theory Epistemology Ethics Metaphysics Causality
  1. Understanding is important, not just getting the right answers. If we want to make sense of our world and society, we need deeper insights and not just calculations.
  2. Ideas about causality and certainty have changed over time. What was once thought to be clear cut, like Newton's laws, has become more complicated with concepts like quantum mechanics.
  3. Political philosophy can be impacted by scientific ideas. If we believe everything is contradictory, it may affect how we think about power and society, sometimes leading to a focus on who holds power rather than what is right or wrong.

2.1 Ancient Ideas of Atomism & Plenism

219 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ancient Philosophy Physics Metaphysics
  1. The concept of atomism began in ancient Greece with philosophers like Leucippus and Democritus, who believed everything is made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms. They also thought a void exists where these atoms move.
  2. Democritus' ideas influenced later thinkers like Epicurus, who introduced the idea that atoms can swerve randomly, allowing for free will. Lucretius expanded on this by describing how tiny particles move in ways we can't always see.
  3. Aristotle challenged atomism with his idea of plenism, which suggests everything is filled with matter and there is no empty space. He argued that motion is continuous and depends on the presence of matter all around.

1.5 The Paradigm Shift to a New Model

239 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🔬 Science Physics Education Cognition Models Innovation
  1. People often prefer sticking to familiar ideas instead of embracing new ones, which can create mental barriers to understanding change. To overcome this, simplifying complex concepts is important.
  2. Models are tools we use to understand the world around us. Having multiple models allows us to tackle problems from different angles, making us better problem solvers.
  3. Understanding basic principles in science can help anyone grasp more complex ideas without needing extensive knowledge. For example, knowing atoms make up everything can help explain many scientific concepts.

Philosophic Premises of Quantum Mechanics – Part II

239 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🔬 Science Quantum Mechanics Philosophy Causality
  1. Quantum mechanics was influenced by ideas that questioned the existence of an objective reality. Some scientists believed that what we observe is just a statistical illusion rather than a definite state.
  2. Key figures like Heisenberg and Bohr argued against the law of causality, suggesting that atomic processes might not follow traditional cause-and-effect rules. They felt that understanding these processes could lead to contradictions.
  3. Attempts to create a causal theory in quantum mechanics faced strong opposition. Despite efforts from scientists like Schrödinger, the non-causal view became widely accepted due to its statistical predictions.

2.2 Early & Medieval Physics

179 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
💾 History Medieval Science Philosophy Mathematics Physics
  1. The Ptolemaic model explained how planets move in terms of circles and smaller orbits called epicycles. This model was clever, even though it was eventually replaced by simpler ideas in science.
  2. During the Middle Ages, many people thought that science was stuck, but some scholars made important contributions and kept the spirit of experimentation alive, especially figures like Albertus Magnus and Roger Bacon.
  3. The study of more complex shapes, like conic sections, was overlooked for a long time. Eventually, scholars at places like Oxford started to explore motion more deeply and share their findings across Europe.

Here Be Dragons!

239 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Fiction Literature Philosophy Art Mythology
  1. Dragons symbolize power and temptation, representing the dangers of being seduced by false promises. They serve as a reminder of the fight between good and evil in our desires.
  2. Electromagnetism plays a crucial role in communication and technology, influencing how we receive and interpret information. This reflects the battle between freedom and control in today's world.
  3. Fiction can reveal truths about our reality, helping us understand complex ideas like morality and human nature. Stories like _Draco Alchemicus_ can shine a light on these deeper truths.

1.4 What’s the Benefit of This New Model?

199 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🔬 Science Physics Quantum Mechanics Electromagnetism Mathematics
  1. This new model helps us understand how antennas and electromagnetic radiation work better. It shows how waves and fields can create visible effects, like standing waves, which we see in everyday life.
  2. The theory offers answers to old physics puzzles like wave-particle duality. Instead of seeing particles and waves as opposites, they work together as two different things.
  3. It provides solutions to tricky problems in electromagnetism, like radiation reaction and vacuum energy. The model suggests that radiation comes from the applied fields, not just from accelerating charges.

1.3 Wait... That's All There Is To It?

179 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🔬 Science Physics Electromagnetism Quantum Mechanics Astrophysics Chemistry
  1. To understand how fields guide energy, you need to think deeply about concepts like light and electromagnetic waves. This involves understanding how energy balances between electric and magnetic forms.
  2. There's a new way to look at electromagnetism that contradicts a lot of what we've assumed for over a century. This new view can help explain some confusing aspects of quantum mechanics.
  3. Even though electromagnetism seems fully understood, there’s still room for fresh ideas that could change our understanding. Just like a miner finding new gems in a familiar mine, new insights might be waiting to be discovered.

1.6 The Plan & Purpose of this Book

159 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🔬 Science Physics Energy Electromagnetism
  1. The book discusses two big ideas in physics: particles versus waves and two different ways of understanding nature. This involves looking at how scientists have debated these ideas over time.
  2. It introduces a new way of thinking about electromagnetism, saying that fields and energy are separate but related. Fields behave like waves, while energy can act like particles.
  3. Finally, the book explores how this fresh perspective can change our view of quantum mechanics, suggesting that light and energy might interact in ways we don't typically understand.

Coming Soon! Science & Scientism

139 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🔬 Science Philosophy History Cultures Research Education
  1. The discussion will explore the differences between science and scientism, which refers to an excessive reliance on scientific methods or claims.
  2. Francis Bacon is a key historical figure in the development of modern science, particularly with his influence on the Royal Society.
  3. A livestream event featuring experts will dive deeper into these topics, highlighting the philosophical aspects of science.

Foundations of Physical Theory: Function of Models

3 HN points • 02 Sep 24
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics Models Theory Electricity Magnetism
  1. Models in physics help us understand complex ideas by simplifying them into more relatable forms. They allow us to reason about things we can't observe directly.
  2. It's important to consider the medium through which forces act, rather than just thinking of actions at a distance. This helps explain phenomena like electricity and magnetism more clearly.
  3. Using analogies can be helpful in learning new concepts, but we must be careful not to confuse them with the actual properties of the things we are studying.