extremal principle
Quick Summary
In physics, an extremal principle is a concept where a physical system's behavior is determined by finding a condition that maximizes or minimizes a specific quantity. This is often explored through the calculus of variations, a branch of mathematics focused on finding functions for which an integral has the largest or smallest possible value.12
A key example is Fermat's principle, which states that light travels between two points along the path that takes the least time. Similarly, the principle of least action, proposed by Pierre-Louis Moreau de Maupertuis, suggests that a system's actual path between two configurations is the one for which a quantity called "action" is minimized. These principles are fundamental in understanding phenomena across optics and mechanics.321
- principle of least action
- principles of physical science - Manifestations of the extremal principle
- calculus of variations
- Calculus of Variations
- principles of physical science - Conservation of mass-energy
- principles of physical science - Dissection
- philosophy of physics - The measurement problem
- extremum
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