The role of mathematics in physics : Building knowledge and describing the empirical world

Journal article

Doran, Y. J.. (2017). The role of mathematics in physics : Building knowledge and describing the empirical world. Onomázein. Número especial II, pp. 209-226. https://doi.org/10.7764/onomazein.sfl.08
AuthorsDoran, Y. J.
Abstract

This paper considers why mathematics is used in physics. It traces the use of mathe-matics in physics through primary school, junior high school and senior high school in NSW, Australia, considering its role from the point of view of Systemic Functional Linguistics and Legitimation Code Theory. To understand the development of mathematics, two genres that play differing roles in the discipline of physics are introduced: ‘derivation’ and ‘quantifica-tion’. Through an analysis using the concepts of semantic density and semantic gravity from Legitimation Code Theory, these genres are shown to aid physics in developing new knowl-edge and linking its theory to the empirical world. This paper contributes to the growing body of research considering forms of knowledge in academic disciplines and the role of non-lin-guistic semiotic resources in organizing this knowledge.

Keywordsmathematics; physics; semantic density; genre; Systemic Functional Linguistics; Legitimation Code Theory
Year2017
JournalOnomázein
Journal citationNúmero especial II, pp. 209-226
PublisherFacultad de Letras, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
ISSN0717-1285
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.7764/onomazein.sfl.08
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85018494926
Web address (URL)http://ojs.uc.cl/index.php/onom/article/view/30407
Open accessOpen access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range209-226
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online2016
Publication process dates
Accepted29 Jan 2016
Deposited19 May 2022
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