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Proof that differential equations are real.

The shapes the salt is taking at different pitches are combinations of eigenfunctions of the Laplace operator.

(The Laplace operator \Delta f = \sum_{i=1}^n \frac {\partial^2 f}{\partial x^2_i}. tells you the flux density of the gradient flow of a many-to-one function ƒ. As eigenvectors summarise a matrix operator, so do eigenfunctions summarise this differential operator.)

Remember that sound is compression waves — air vibrating back and forth — so that pressure can push the salt (or is it sand?) around just like wind blows sand in the desert.

Notice the similarity to solutions of Schrödinger PDE’s from the hydrogen atom.

When the universe sings itself, the probability waves of energy hit each other and form material shapes in the same way as the sand/salt in the video is doing. Except in 3-D, not 2-D. Everything is, like, waves, man.

To quote Dave Barry: I am not making this up. Science fact, not science fiction.

234 notes

  1. anotheropti reblogged this from isomorphismes and added:
    need showing in math...science classrooms. You...these...
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  12. yawnjohn reblogged this from jubejoo and added:
    The shapes the salt is taking at different pitches are combinations of eigenfunctions of the Laplace operator. (The...
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  16. kyleyuen reblogged this from adamine and added:
    I have no idea how this works, but this is awesome.
  17. adamine reblogged this from noxsolia and added:
    this is the perfect time for Pruitt..
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  22. slee1123 reblogged this from proofmathisbeautiful and added:
    freakin sick! nature = math!!!!
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  25. almostloverr reblogged this from verthandi and added:
    the awesomest ever -
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  30. adenozine reblogged this from proofmathisbeautiful and added:
    Salty eigenfunctions of the Laplace operator. I’ll leave the explanation to the good folks below. I just find it...
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  32. red-dumpling reblogged this from powerburial and added:
    Wow.
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