Methodology of applying structural and logical schemes in the study of general physics in a technical university

A structural and logical scheme is a visual image of the logical connection of the main elements of knowledge within the framework of a training course, section or topic. When studying physics as an applied discipline in a technical university, its professional orientation and applied knowledge corresponding to this function come out in the first place. But applied knowledge as a consequence of physical theories is not enough for the development of a modern quantum-relativistic worldview. The idea of our research is to precede the systematic study of general physics with systematic ideas about the place and meaning of each physical theory, namely: before studying classical physics, to show its connection with quantum and relativistic physics. To do this, it is necessary to apply a preliminary and final generalization at different stages of the study of physics with the help of appropriate structural and logical schemes. When implementing this idea, the following methods were used: the method of structural and logical analysis of the course of general physics with the allocation of knowledge elements, the method of systematization based on clarifying the connection between physical theories and the method of generalization, leading to the construction of new generalized schemes of this course. In the proposed schemes "Connection of mechanical theories" and "Scales of the Universe-Velocities", we identify structural elements that reveal the specifics of the methodological representations of the theory in accordance with its place in the Universe and the velocities of its objects. The proposed methodology is based on two types of generalization: preliminary and final. The preliminary generalization shows the place of physical theory in the system of physical knowledge in the course of general physics, the final generalization is used to make students aware of the specifics of the entire range of methodological concepts used in this physical theory. The methodology is aimed at forming students ' systematic knowledge of general physics and at developing their modern quantum-relativistic worldview.

Energy Bilocalization Effect and the Emergence of Molecular Functions in Proteins

Proteins are among the most complex molecular structures, which have evolved to develop broad functions, such as energy conversion and transport, information storage and processing, communication, and regulation of chemical reactions. However, the mechanisms by which these dynamical entities coordinate themselves to perform biological tasks remain hotly debated. Here, a physical theory is presented to explain how functional dynamical behavior possibly emerge in complex/macro molecules, thanks to the effect that we term bilocalization of thermal vibrations. More specifically, our approach allows us to understand how structural irregularities lead to a partitioning of the energy of the vibrations into two distinct sets of molecular domains, corresponding to slow and fast motions. This shape-encoded spectral allocation, associated to the genetic sequence, provides a close access to a wide reservoir of dynamical patterns, and eventually allows the emergence of biological functions by natural selection. To illustrate our approach, the SPIKE protein structure of SARS-COV2 is considered.

WEIZSÄCKER’S RELATIONAL THEORY AND BINARY GEOMETROPHYSICS OF YU. S. VLADIMIROV

The question of the connection between the ideas of relational concepts and the construction of a unified physics by K.F. von Weizsäcker, and binary geometrophysics of Yu.S. Vladimirov. It is shown the initial closeness both of the original premises of the two programs and their main conclusions, which completely coincide. The moments of divergence of the two programs are also shown. This discrepancy is due to the fact that Weizsacker associates the main problem of constructing a unified physical theory with epistemological problems, while in binary geometrophysics the ontological assumptions associated with the concept of pregeometry are taken as a basis.

On the missed opportunities of classical physics

This study considers a variant of the realization of Dirac’s ideas regarding the limited number of Faraday force lines and allowance for the finite size of microparticles in physical theory. It is shown that within the framework of the classical approach, consideration of the limited number of Faraday force lines opens additional possibilities for describing and characterizing the physical field and associated phenomena. Specifically, it is shown that it becomes possible to obtain in a facile manner an expression for describing the discrete radiation of an atom, which agrees well with the empirical Balmer relation. An assumption is made about the possibility of the material existence of Faraday force lines as structural elements of the physical field. It is suggested that the natural fields of physical bodies can be considered as a set of materially existing lines of force, i.e., as a luminiferous ether.

The principle of materiality of space and the theory of fundamental fields

The work formulates the principle of materiality of space and on its basis a brief critical analysis of the general ideology of the Special and General Theories of Relativity is carried out. The connection of the new principle with the previously developed Topological Theory of Fundamental Fields (TTFF) is considered. A method of constructive implementation of the principle of materiality in the framework of the physical theory of fundamental fields is considered. General equations of the dynamics of markers of material points of physical space are derived and their physical meaning is established.

1. Time until Newton

‘Time until Newton’ begins by describing the historical origin of calendars and mathematical ways of representing time. It discusses the Aristotelian worldview, which formed the dominant understanding of the Universe in the West from the time of Aristotle until the 17th century when Newton proposed his theory of motion. This was the first physical theory in the mathematical form that we expect nowadays and by making space and time subjects of scientific investigation Newton forever changed the way that people studied space and time. After the publication of his theory, a debate about whether space and time were entities or systems of relations broke out between Newton and the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. A series of letters between Leibniz and the philosopher Samuel Clarke focusing on this question introduced the mathematical tools of symmetry and invariance that would become important in subsequent study of the structure of space and time.

Marine Biopolymer Dynamics, Gel Formation, and Carbon Cycling in the Ocean

Much like our own body, our planet is a macroscale dynamic system equipped with a complex set of compartmentalized controls that have made life and evolution possible on earth. Many of these global autoregulatory functions take place in the ocean; paramount among those is its role in global carbon cycling. Understanding the dynamics of organic carbon transport in the ocean remains among the most critical, urgent, and least acknowledged challenges to modern society. Dissolved in seawater is one of the earth’s largest reservoirs of reduced organic carbon, reaching ~700 billion tons. It is composed of a polydisperse collection of marine biopolymers (MBP), that remain in reversible assembled↔dissolved equilibrium forming hydrated networks of marine gels (MG). MGs are among the least understood aspects of marine carbon dynamics. Despite the polymer nature of this gigantic pool of material, polymer physics theory has only recently been applied to study MBP dynamics and gel formation in the ocean. There is a great deal of descriptive phenomenology, rich in classifications, and significant correlations. Still missing, however, is the guide of robust physical theory to figure out the fundamental nature of the supramolecular interactions taking place in seawater that turn out to be critical to understanding carbon transport in the ocean.

The ‘Philosopher’s Stone’

Physicists have long been in search of the final theory—a physical theory that can be regarded as the truly fundamental description of nature. But metaphysicians likewise aspire to describe the world as it is most fundamentally. I argue that if we take a naturalistic approach to metaphysics, a final theory is even more crucial to success of the metaphysical project than it is to that of the physicist. This is because the non-fundamental theories produced by contemporary physicists may at least be said to approximate the final theory, and so physicists may be said to at least be making progress towards their goal in advance of having achieved it. Metaphysical theories, by contrast, cannot be said to be ‘approximately true’, and hence do not obviously partake in such progress. This raises questions of the value of engaging in naturalistic metaphysics prior to the emergence of a truly final theory.

True Consciousness Science Requires Strongly Dynamically-Unorthodox Physics

Whether there can be a science of consciousness is both of the utmost importance, and a matter of intense current debate in the field. Recently, two major papers seemed to reach dramatically conflicting conclusions, one denying scientific method currently exists in the field, the other promoting a way to ‘make the hard problem easier’. Here I apply uncontroversial mathematical physics together with a new symbolism for conscious experience, to decisively resolve this issue. Under dynamically-orthodox physics (e.g. current physical theory), there can’t be a scientifically-reliable approach. But under a strong form of dynamically-unorthodox physics, subjective report is not provably unreliable, thus meeting the minimal necessary conditions for a true science. Implications for the epistemological foundations of science are briefly discussed.