Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

From Euler to Navier-Stokes: A Spatial Analysis of Conceptual Changes in Nineteenth-century Fluid Dynamics

Petersen, Graciana and Zenker, Frank LU orcid (2014) In International Studies in the Philosophy of Science 28(3). p.235-253
Abstract
This article provides a spatial analysis of the conceptual framework of fluid dynamics during the nineteenth century, focusing on the transition from the Euler equation to the Navier-Stokes equation. A dynamic version of Peter Gardenfors's theory of conceptual spaces is applied which distinguishes changes of five types: addition and deletion of special laws; change of metric; change in importance; change in separability; addition and deletion of dimensions. The case instantiates all types but the deletion of dimensions. We also provide a new view upon limiting case reduction at the conceptual level that clarifies the relation between the predecessor and successor conceptual framework. The nineteenth-century development of fluid dynamics is... (More)
This article provides a spatial analysis of the conceptual framework of fluid dynamics during the nineteenth century, focusing on the transition from the Euler equation to the Navier-Stokes equation. A dynamic version of Peter Gardenfors's theory of conceptual spaces is applied which distinguishes changes of five types: addition and deletion of special laws; change of metric; change in importance; change in separability; addition and deletion of dimensions. The case instantiates all types but the deletion of dimensions. We also provide a new view upon limiting case reduction at the conceptual level that clarifies the relation between the predecessor and successor conceptual framework. The nineteenth-century development of fluid dynamics is argued to be an instance of normal science development. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
International Studies in the Philosophy of Science
volume
28
issue
3
pages
235 - 253
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • wos:000346055600002
  • scopus:84919793144
ISSN
0269-8595
DOI
10.1080/02698595.2014.953341
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
03ba1672-e66e-4940-98fc-5bed2edf7402 (old id 4965767)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 14:03:11
date last changed
2022-03-21 21:59:57
@article{03ba1672-e66e-4940-98fc-5bed2edf7402,
  abstract     = {{This article provides a spatial analysis of the conceptual framework of fluid dynamics during the nineteenth century, focusing on the transition from the Euler equation to the Navier-Stokes equation. A dynamic version of Peter Gardenfors's theory of conceptual spaces is applied which distinguishes changes of five types: addition and deletion of special laws; change of metric; change in importance; change in separability; addition and deletion of dimensions. The case instantiates all types but the deletion of dimensions. We also provide a new view upon limiting case reduction at the conceptual level that clarifies the relation between the predecessor and successor conceptual framework. The nineteenth-century development of fluid dynamics is argued to be an instance of normal science development.}},
  author       = {{Petersen, Graciana and Zenker, Frank}},
  issn         = {{0269-8595}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{235--253}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{International Studies in the Philosophy of Science}},
  title        = {{From Euler to Navier-Stokes: A Spatial Analysis of Conceptual Changes in Nineteenth-century Fluid Dynamics}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02698595.2014.953341}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/02698595.2014.953341}},
  volume       = {{28}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}