Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome | |||
| |||
Covariance: Covariance in physics is a measure of the statistical relationship between two or more physical quantities. It can be used to describe how two quantities are related to each other in space, time, or both. For example, the covariance of the position and momentum of a particle can be used to describe how the particle's momentum changes as its position changes. See also Measurements, Observation._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
Author | Concept | Summary/Quotes | Sources |
---|---|---|---|
Bernulf Kanitscheider on Covariance - Dictionary of Arguments
II 44 Def covariance/general covariance/Einstein/Kanitscheider: metatheoretical requirement that the equations of physics may only be formulated using mathematical objects which have the same form in all coordinate systems. The basic equations must not distinguish certain coordinate systems. The demand for coordinate independence has no special empirical content, but expresses only that a physical law may not depend on a freely selectable conceptual construction. In the meantime one knows also that one can formulate Newton's gravitation theory coordinate-free. >Coordinate system/Kanitscheider, >Gravitation/Kanitscheider, >Gravitation/Einstein, >Theory of Relativity. Today one sees the covariance no more as the mathematical formulation of the general relativity of motion, but as the demand on a theory that it must not contain any absolute objects independent of the matter distribution. The theory should not use primordial undynamic background geometry._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Kanitsch I B. Kanitscheider Kosmologie Stuttgart 1991 Kanitsch II B. Kanitscheider Im Innern der Natur Darmstadt 1996 |