Physical law

A physical law, scientific law, or a law of nature is a scientific generalization based on empirical observations of physical behavior. Empirical laws are typically conclusions based on repeated scientific experiments over many years, and which have become accepted universally within the scientific community. The production of a summary description of nature in the form of such laws is a fundamental aim of science.

Laws of nature are distinct from the law, either religious or civil, and should not be confused with the concept of natural law. Nor should 'physical law' be confused with 'law of physics' - the term 'physical law' usually covers laws in other sciences (e.g. biology) as well.

Origin of laws of nature

Some extremely important laws are simply definitions. For example, the central law of mechanics F = dp/dt (Newton's second "law" of mechanics) is often treated as a mathematical definition of force just like Newton's first law of mechanics (an object that is at rest stays at rest and an object that is in motion stays in motion unless acted by an out side force). Although the concept of force predates Newton's law, there was no mathematical definition of force before Newton. The principle of least action (or principle of stationary action), Schroedinger equation, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, causality and a few other laws also fall into this category (of mathematical definitions).

Related pages

• Scientific method

References

• Barrow, John (1991). Theories of Everything: The Quest for Ultimate Explanations. (ISBN 0-449-90738-4)
• Davies, Paul (1992). The Mind of God (ISBN 0-671-79718-2)
• Feynman, Richard (1965). The Character of Physical Law (ISBN 0-679-60127-9)
• Hans Wehrli: Metaphysik - Chiralität als Grundprinzip der Physik Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine, 2006, ISBN 3-033-00791-0
• Francis Bacon "Novum Organum"

Other websites

• Baaquie, Belal E., "Laws of Physics Archived 2006-04-08 at the Wayback Machine : A Primer". Core Curriculum, National University of Singapore.
• Carroll, John W. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry
• Francis, Erik Max, "The laws list". Physics. Alcyone Systems
• Pazameta, Zoran, "The laws of nature Archived 2007-04-06 at the Wayback Machine". Committee for the scientific investigation of Claims of the Paranormal CSICOP.