What Is the Use of Diagrams in Theoretical Modeling?

Anouk Barberousse (1)

1 STL - Savoirs, Textes, Langage (STL) - UMR 8163

The use of diagrams is pervasive in theoretical physics. Together with mathematical formulae and natural language, diagrams play a major role in theoretical modeling. They enrich the expressive power of physicists and help them to explore new theoretical ideas. Diagrams are not only heuristic or pedagogical tools, but they are also tools that enable developing the content of models into novel implications.

Mots clés: diagrams; models; polymers; De Genne

Domaines: Histoire, Philosophie et Sociologie des sciences; Histoire, Philosophie et Sociologie des sciences

Anouk Barberousse. What Is the Use of Diagrams in Theoretical Modeling?. Science in Context, 2013, 26 (2), pp.345 ­-362. ⟨10.1017/S0269889713000082⟩. ⟨halshs-01058668⟩