assessment of current status of the Physics Derivation Graph and plans for what is next
Published 2021-08-14T11:01:00.003Z by Physics Derivation Graph
What has been done
developed content for multiple derivations that are linked
identified common symbols within and across derivations
created a data structure (currently JSON) for capturing all the content
created a website for displaying and interacting with content
validated steps within derivations using a computer algebra system (SymPy)
validated dimensions and units for expressions
Problems with the current approach
(1) In the process of showing that the math in a paper is correct, I decouple the math from the original paper. There is no connection between the equations in the text of a paper and the mathematical validation. As consequences,
errors could occur if there is inconsistency between the paper and the formalized derivation
reader needs to context switch between the paper and the formalized derivation
(2) There is a second decoupling between the latex and the computer algebra system representation.
(3) Not all steps needed for a formalized derivation are present in the text of a paper, so a way of including those is needed.
The unique value of the physics derivation graph is the mathematical correctness of statements made in a paper, and forcing the enumeration of assumptions and approximations. On a larger scale, papers could reference each other's equations, based on the assumption the variables are consistent.
A useful exercise is to imagine the ideal outcome.
An appendix with CAS verified derivation
Semantic tagging of text and derivation
linking semantic tags with pre-existing databases.
There is a version of owl for physics variables? QUDT