The lazy universe : an introduction to the principle of least action
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 5:30 am
Why I looked at this book
Newtonian physics is fairly intuitive: there are forces which cause things to move the way they do. But this behaviour can also be framed in terms of the principle of least action. To me this seems a bit weird: it's as if particles were intentionally trying to economise on the use of certain stuff. Given that it's such a powerful principle should the teaching of physics include it from the start, or should it begin with ideas which are more intuitively grasped? I'm looking to this book to discuss such issues and help me better understand the principle of least action.