The Grand Periodic Function

Abstract

The discovery of material periodicity must rank as one of the major achievements of mankind. It reveals an ordered reality despite the gloomy pronouncements of quantum philosophers. Periodicity only appears in closed systems with well-defined boundary conditions. This condition excludes an infinite Euclidean universe and all forms of a chaotic multiverse. Manifestations of cosmic order were observed and misinterpreted by the ancients as divine regulation of terrestrial events, dictated by celestial intervention. Analysis of observed patterns developed into the ancient sciences of astrology, alchemy and numerology, which appeared to magically predict the effects of the macrocosm on the microcosm. The sciences of astronomy and chemistry have by now managed to outgrow the magic connotation, but number theory remains suspect as a scientific pursuit. The relationship between Fibonacci numbers and cosmic self-similarity is constantly being confused with spurious claims of religious and mystic codes, imagined to be revealed through the golden ratio in the architecture of the Great Pyramid and other structures such as the Temple of Luxor. The terminology which is shared by number theory and numerology, such as perfect number, magic number, tetrahedral number and many more, contributes to the confusion. It is not immediately obvious that number theory does not treat 3 as a sacred number, 13 as unlucky and 666 as an apocalyptic threat. The relationship of physical systems to numbers is no more mysterious nor less potent than to differential calculus. Like a differential equation, number theory does not dictate, but only describes physical behavior. The way in which number theory describes the periodicity of matter, atomic structure, superconductivity, electronegativity, bond order, and covalent interaction was summarized in a recent volume. The following brief summary of these results is augmented here by a discussion of atomic and molecular polarizabilities, as derived by number theory, and in all cases specified in relation to the grand periodic function that embodies self-similarity over all space-time.