What was Maxwell's method for understanding abstract physics?
I found it of great advantage to construct mechanical analogies to visualize abstract concepts. For instance, when formulating my electromagnetic theory, I imagined the ether as a fluid filled with vortices and idle wheels. These mechanical models allowed me to derive mathematical relationships that were grounded in physical intuition, rather than purely abstract deduction. The physical interpretation of the resulting equations, such as the lines of force, was then key to understanding their meaning. This approach, building a tangible picture from which the mathematical laws could emerge, proved remarkably fruitful.
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