Open problems in mathematical physics. (30th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coley, Alan A
• Is Part Of: Physica scripta. Volume 92:Number 9(2017:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2017-08-30
• Subjects: mathematical physics -- open problems -- general relativity and cosmology; Physics -- Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1402-4896/aa83c1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-8949

Abstract

Abstract: We present a list of open questions in mathematical physics. After a historical introduction, a number of problems in a variety of different fields are discussed, with the intention of giving an overall impression of the current status of mathematical physics, particularly in the topical fields of classical general relativity, cosmology and the quantum realm. This list is motivated by the recent article proposing 42 fundamental questions (in physics) which must be answered on the road to full enlightenment (Allen and Lidstrom 2017 Phys. Scr . 92 012501). But paraphrasing a famous quote by the British football manager Bill Shankly, in response to the question of whether mathematics can answer the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, mathematics is, of course, much more important than that.