Maxwell's Equations Quotes (2 quotes)
Maxwell's equations
originally consisted of eight equations. These equations are not beautiful. They do not possess much symmetry. In their original form, they are ugly.
However, when rewritten using time as the fourth dimension, this rather awkward set of eight equations collapses into a single tensor equation. This is what a physicist calls beauty.
In 'Quantum Heresy', Hyperspace: A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the Tenth Dimension (1995), 130. Note: For two beauty criteria, unifying symmetry and economy of expression, see quote on this page beginning When physicists
Newtons laws of motion made it possible to state on one page facts about nature which would otherwise require whole libraries. Maxwells laws of electricity and magnetism also had an abbreviating effect.
In 'Mans Place in the Physical Universe', Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (Sep 1965), 21, No. 7, 16.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
