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)
The laws of nature are not arbitrary, but are determined by some underlying principle.
The ultimate goal of physics is to find a unified theory of all forces.
The quantum theory of fields is a very difficult subject.
The concept of probability plays a fundamental role in quantum mechanics.
The laws of nature are expressed in terms of mathematical equations.
The theory of quantum electrodynamics is a very successful theory.
The idea of a vacuum filled with negative energy electrons was a bold one.
The search for beauty in physics is a powerful guide.
The mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics is very abstract.
The laws of nature are not arbitrary, but are determined by some underlying principle of simplicity and beauty.
The theory of general relativity is a very elegant theory.
The ultimate aim of physics is to understand the universe.
The concept of a point particle is an idealization.
The laws of nature are universal.
The theory of quantum chromodynamics is a very complex theory.
The existence of antimatter was a surprising prediction.
The role of mathematics in physics is to provide a precise language for describing nature.
The laws of nature are not arbitrary, but are determined by some underlying principle of mathematical consistency.
The theory of electroweak interactions is a very successful theory.
The concept of a field is fundamental in modern physics.
Contemporaries of Paul Dirac
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Paul Dirac (1902–1984).