Use of Topology in physical problems
Abstract
Some of the basic concepts of topology are explored through known physics problems. This helps us in two ways, one, in motivating the definitions and the concepts, and two, in showing that topological analysis leads to a clearer understanding of the problem. The problems discussed are taken from classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, solid state physics, and biology (DNA), to emphasize some unity in diverse areas of physics. It is the real Euclidean space, , with which we are most familiar. Intuitions can therefore be sharpened by appealing to the relevant features of this known space, and by using these as simplest examples to illustrate the abstract topological concepts. This is what is done in this chapter.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1606.04070,
title = {Use of Topology in physical problems},
author = {Somendra M Bhattacharjee},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1606.04070},
year = {2016}
}
Comments
Introductory lectures given at the SERC School on "Topology and condensed matter Physics" held in Kolkata during Nov 23- Dec 12, 2015. To appear in a book, "Topology and condensed matter physics". V2: Sec 4 rearranged, Appendix on "Mobius strip and Stokes'theorem" added. V3: Typos corrected