Utility Of Quaternions In Physics PDF Download

Excerpt from Utility of Quaternions in Physics The present publication is an essay that was sent in (December, 1887) to compete for the Smith's Prizes at Cambridge. To the onlooker it is always a mournful thing to see what he considers splendid abilities or opportunities wasted for lack of knowledge of some paltry common-place truth. Such is in the main my feeling when considering the neglect of the study of Quaternions by that wonderful corporation the University of Cambridge. To the alumnus she is apt to appear as the leader in all branches of Mathematics. To the outsider she appears rather as the leader in Applied Mathematics and as a ready welcomer of other branches. If Quaternions were simply a branch of Pure Mathematics we could understand why the study of them was almost confined to the University which gave birth to them, but as the truth is quite otherwise it is hard to shew good reason why they have not struck root also in Cambridge. The prophet on whom Hamilton's mantle has fallen is more than a mathematician and more than a natural philosopher - he is both, and it is to be noted also that he is a Cambridge man. He has preached in season and out of season (if that were possible) that Quaternions are especially useful in Physical applications. Why then has his Alma Mater turned a deaf ear? I cannot believe that she is in her dotage and has lost her hearing. The problem is beyond me and I give it up. But I wish to add my little efforts to Prof. Tait's powerful advocacy to bring about another state of affairs. Cambridge is the prepared ground on which if anywhere the study of the Physical applications of Quaternions ought to flourish. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.