Paul Dirac
Predicted antimatter and formulated Dirac equation
Most quoted
"The underlying physical laws necessary for the mathematical theory of a large part of physics and the whole of chemistry are thus completely known, and the difficulty is only that the exact application of these laws leads to equations much too complicated to be soluble. It is the purpose of theoretical physics to show that it is possible to derive, from these equations, the properties of the actual world."
— from Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1929
"The methods of progress in theoretical physics have undergone a vast change during the present century. The classical tradition has been to consider the world to be an association of observable objects (particles, fluids, fields, etc.) moving about according to definite laws of force, so that one could form a mental picture in space and time of the whole scheme."
— from Quantised Singularities in the Electromagnetic Field, 1931
"The most powerful method of advance that can be suggested at present is to employ all the resources of pure mathematics in attempts to perfect and generalise the mathematical formalism that forms the existing basis of theoretical physics, and after each success in this direction, to try to interpret the new mathematical features in terms of physical entities."
— from Quantised Singularities in the Electromagnetic Field, 1931
All quotes by Paul Dirac (692)
Pure mathematics is the poetry of logical ideas.
My work at Cambridge was productive.
The uncertainty principle is fundamental.
I value silence in thought.
Magnetic monopoles may exist.
Education should emphasize mathematics.
The atom's structure is governed by quantum rules.
I met Einstein in 1925; he was kind.
Truth in science comes from mathematical elegance.
The neutrino was a hypothetical particle then.
Happiness comes from discovering nature's secrets.
Relativity and quantum mechanics must unify.
I disliked small talk; preferred deep discussions.
The fine structure constant is a mystery.
Poetry and physics both seek beauty.
My father's insistence on languages helped me.
The world is rational and mathematical.
Beta decay involves neutrinos.
I won the Nobel for predicting antimatter.
Life's purpose is understanding the universe.
Contemporaries of Paul Dirac
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Paul Dirac (1902–1984).