| --- |
| license: cc-by-4.0 |
| language: |
| - en |
| tags: |
| - physics |
| - dimensional-analysis |
| - buckingham-pi |
| - vaschy-buckingham |
| - symbolic-regression |
| - science |
| pretty_name: "Vashy: Dimensionally-Consistent Physics Equations" |
| size_categories: |
| - 1M<n<10M |
| configs: |
| - config_name: default |
| data_files: circuits.parquet |
| --- |
| |
| # PhysicsBabel — A Complete Catalogue of Dimensionally-Consistent Physics Equations |
|
|
| **Vashy** is an exhaustive, machine-generated catalogue of every *irreducible |
| dimensionless relation* that can be formed from a curated pool of 60 physical |
| quantities spanning all of classical physics. It is built directly from the |
| **Vaschy–Buckingham π theorem**: any physically meaningful equation must be |
| dimensionally homogeneous, so the set of dimensionally-consistent monomials is |
| exactly the set of dimensionless products the theorem describes. |
|
|
| Each of the **2,325,320 rows** is one such relation — for example |
| `F = k₀ · m·a` (Newton's second law), `ℓ = k₀ · v⁻¹·ρ⁻¹·μ` (the Reynolds |
| number), or `m = k₀ · E·c₀⁻²` (mass–energy equivalence) — annotated with |
| metrics that let you filter the physically meaningful laws out of the vast space |
| of mere dimensional coincidences. |
|
|
| > `k₀` denotes the dimensionless constant of order unity that dimensional |
| > analysis *cannot* determine (e.g. the ½ in kinetic energy, or 6π in Stokes' |
| > drag). This is an intrinsic limitation of the method, not of the dataset. |
|
|
| --- |
|
|
| ## What is in the dataset |
|
|
| The catalogue is **complete**: it contains *every* minimal dimensionless |
| relation of size 2 to 8 over the quantity pool. Size 8 is a hard mathematical |
| ceiling — with 7 SI base dimensions, no irreducible relation can involve more |
| than 8 quantities (a relation of `k` quantities needs rank `k−1 ≤ 7`). |
|
|
| | # quantities | rows | note | |
| |---|---|---| |
| | 2 | 22 | pairs with identical dimensions (e.g. energy vs torque) | |
| | 3 | 593 | e.g. `F = k₀·m·a`, `E = k₀·m·v²` | |
| | 4 | 17,325 | e.g. Reynolds, Weber, Strouhal numbers | |
| | 5 | 280,646 | | |
| | 6 | 813,919 | | |
| | 7 | 1,140,445 | | |
| | 8 | 72,370 | must span all 7 base dimensions at once (rare) | |
| | **Total** | **2,325,320** | | |
|
|
| Of these, **46,720 are flagged `plausible`** (a conservative gate for genuine |
| physical candidates) and **20 correspond to classically named laws / numbers**. |
|
|
| --- |
|
|
| ## Provenance & method |
|
|
| Every quantity is represented as a vector of integer exponents over the seven SI |
| base dimensions. A **dimensionless relation** among a set of quantities is an |
| integer null vector of the matrix whose columns are those dimension vectors. |
|
|
| A row in this dataset is a **circuit** of that "dimensional matroid": a |
| *minimal* dependent set, where every quantity is essential (removing any one |
| destroys the dimensionless product) and which is not a product of smaller |
| relations. Formally, a set of `n` quantities is a circuit iff its dimension |
| matrix has rank `n−1` and the (unique) null vector has full support. Each |
| circuit corresponds to exactly **one** irreducible dimensionless number, and the |
| catalogue enumerates all of them without duplication. |
|
|
| Dimensional analysis fixes only the *form* of a law up to `k₀`; it does not |
| prove physical existence. That is why the dataset ships with relevance metrics |
| rather than claiming every row is a real law. |
|
|
| --- |
|
|
| ## Dataset structure |
|
|
| A single split (`default`) backed by `data/circuits.parquet` (~108 MB, zstd). |
|
|
| | column | type | description | |
| |---|---|---| |
| | `size` | int | number of quantities in the relation (2–8) | |
| | `keys` | string | sorted, comma-separated quantity keys (the relation's identity) | |
| | `symbols` | string | the quantities' symbols, `·`-joined | |
| | `domains` | string | distinct physics domains involved, comma-separated | |
| | `pi` | string | the dimensionless number (Π group), e.g. `ℓ·v·ρ·μ⁻¹` | |
| | `equation` | string | the relation solved for one quantity, e.g. `ℓ = k₀ · v⁻¹·ρ⁻¹·μ` | |
| | `name` | string \| null | recognized name of the law / dimensionless number, if any | |
| | `n_const` | int | number of universal constants (c₀, G, h, k_B, e, N_A) involved | |
| | `n_domains` | int | number of distinct physics domains bridged | |
| | `max_exp` | int | largest absolute exponent in the monomial | |
| | `exp_l1` | int | sum of absolute exponents (monomial "weight") | |
| | `complexity` | float | composite complexity score (lower = simpler) | |
| | `score` | float | composite physicality score (higher = more plausible) | |
| | `plausible` | bool | passes the conservative physicality gate (see below) | |
| | `exponents` | string (JSON) | `{quantity_key: integer_exponent}` for the dimensionless monomial | |
|
|
| ### The `plausible` gate |
|
|
| A row is flagged `plausible = true` when it satisfies **all** of: |
|
|
| - `size ≤ 5` — real laws rarely couple more than five quantities; |
| - `n_const ≤ 1` — a genuine law uses at most one universal constant; |
| - `n_domains ≤ 2` — at most one cross-domain bridge; |
| - `max_exp ≤ 3` and `exp_l1 ≤ 8` — small integer exponents. |
|
|
| This is intentionally conservative: it favours precision over recall. The |
| remaining ~2.28 M rows are kept so that the catalogue stays complete and |
| auditable, but the overwhelming majority are dimensional coincidences (e.g. |
| `m = k₀ · c⁻¹·k_B`), not physical laws. |
|
|
| ### The `score` |
|
|
| A heuristic that rewards simplicity (few quantities, small exponents, single |
| domain, at most one constant). Sorting `plausible` rows by `score DESC` surfaces |
| textbook laws and named dimensionless numbers first. |
|
|
| --- |
|
|
| ## Example rows |
|
|
| | equation | pi | name | size | score | plausible | |
| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |
| | `m = k₀ · a⁻¹·F` | `m·a·F⁻¹` | Newton 2nd law | 3 | 9.0 | ✅ | |
| | `m = k₀ · v⁻²·E` | `m·v²·E⁻¹` | kinetic energy | 3 | 7.8 | ✅ | |
| | `m = k₀ · E·c₀⁻²` | `m·E⁻¹·c₀²` | mass-energy (E=mc²) | 3 | 6.7 | ✅ | |
| | `ℓ = k₀ · v⁻¹·ρ⁻¹·μ` | `ℓ·v·ρ·μ⁻¹` | Reynolds number | 4 | 8.0 | ✅ | |
| | `E = k₀ · f·h` | `E·f⁻¹·h⁻¹` | Planck relation (E=hf) | 3 | — | ✅ | |
| | `i = k₀ · U·R⁻¹` | `i·U⁻¹·R` | Ohm's law | 3 | — | ✅ | |
|
|
| --- |
|
|
| ## The quantity pool (60 quantities, 7 base dimensions) |
|
|
| Base dimensions: **M** (mass), **L** (length), **T** (time), **Θ** (temperature), |
| **I** (electric current), **N** (amount of substance), **J** (luminous intensity). |
|
|
| ### Mechanics |
| | symbol | quantity | dimensions | |
| |---|---|---| |
| | m | mass | M | |
| | ℓ | length | L | |
| | t | time | T | |
| | v | velocity | L·T⁻¹ | |
| | a | acceleration | L·T⁻² | |
| | g | gravitational acceleration | L·T⁻² | |
| | F | force | M·L·T⁻² | |
| | E | energy | M·L²·T⁻² | |
| | τ | torque | M·L²·T⁻² | |
| | P | power | M·L²·T⁻³ | |
| | p | momentum | M·L·T⁻¹ | |
| | Lₐ | angular momentum | M·L²·T⁻¹ | |
| | S | action | M·L²·T⁻¹ | |
| | J | moment of inertia | M·L² | |
| | P_p | pressure | M·L⁻¹·T⁻² | |
| | ρ | mass density | M·L⁻³ | |
| | μ | dynamic viscosity | M·L⁻¹·T⁻¹ | |
| | ν | kinematic viscosity | L²·T⁻¹ | |
| | ω | angular velocity | T⁻¹ | |
| | f | frequency | T⁻¹ | |
| | k | spring constant | M·T⁻² | |
| | γ | surface tension | M·T⁻² | |
| | A | area | L² | |
| | V | volume | L³ | |
| | Q | volumetric flow rate | L³·T⁻¹ | |
| |
| ### Thermodynamics |
| | symbol | quantity | dimensions | |
| |---|---|---| |
| | Θ | temperature | Θ | |
| | S_e | entropy | M·L²·T⁻²·Θ⁻¹ | |
| | C | heat capacity | M·L²·T⁻²·Θ⁻¹ | |
| | c | specific heat capacity | L²·T⁻²·Θ⁻¹ | |
| | κ | thermal conductivity | M·L·T⁻³·Θ⁻¹ | |
| | α | thermal diffusivity | L²·T⁻¹ | |
| | β | thermal expansion coefficient | Θ⁻¹ | |
|
|
| ### Electromagnetism |
| | symbol | quantity | dimensions | |
| |---|---|---| |
| | q | electric charge | T·I | |
| | i | electric current | I | |
| | U | electric potential | M·L²·T⁻³·I⁻¹ | |
| | R | electric resistance | M·L²·T⁻³·I⁻² | |
| | C_e | capacitance | M⁻¹·L⁻²·T⁴·I² | |
| | L_e | inductance | M·L²·T⁻²·I⁻² | |
| | E_f | electric field | M·L·T⁻³·I⁻¹ | |
| | B | magnetic flux density | M·T⁻²·I⁻¹ | |
| | Φ | magnetic flux | M·L²·T⁻²·I⁻¹ | |
| | ε | permittivity | M⁻¹·L⁻³·T⁴·I² | |
| | μ₀ | permeability | M·L·T⁻²·I⁻² | |
| | σ | electrical conductivity | M⁻¹·L⁻³·T³·I² | |
| | ρ_e | electrical resistivity | M·L³·T⁻³·I⁻² | |
|
|
| ### Chemistry |
| | symbol | quantity | dimensions | |
| |---|---|---| |
| | n | amount of substance | N | |
| | M_m | molar mass | M·N⁻¹ | |
| | c_n | molar concentration | L⁻³·N | |
| | E_m | molar energy | M·L²·T⁻²·N⁻¹ | |
| | R | molar gas constant | M·L²·T⁻²·Θ⁻¹·N⁻¹ | |
| | z | catalytic activity | T⁻¹·N | |
| |
| ### Photometry |
| | symbol | quantity | dimensions | |
| |---|---|---| |
| | I_v | luminous intensity | J | |
| | E_v | illuminance | L⁻²·J | |
| | L_v | luminance | L⁻²·J | |
|
|
| ### Universal constants |
| | symbol | quantity | dimensions | |
| |---|---|---| |
| | c₀ | speed of light | L·T⁻¹ | |
| | G | gravitational constant | M⁻¹·L³·T⁻² | |
| | h | Planck constant | M·L²·T⁻¹ | |
| | k_B | Boltzmann constant | M·L²·T⁻²·Θ⁻¹ | |
| | e | elementary charge | T·I | |
| | N_A | Avogadro constant | N⁻¹ | |
|
|
| --- |
|
|
| ## Loading |
|
|
| ```python |
| import pandas as pd |
| df = pd.read_parquet("data/circuits.parquet") |
| |
| # the physically-plausible laws, best first |
| laws = df[df.plausible].sort_values("score", ascending=False) |
| |
| # every relation involving viscosity, within mechanics |
| df[df["keys"].str.contains("viscosity") & (df.domains == "mechanics")] |
| ``` |
|
|
| Or with the 🤗 `datasets` library: |
|
|
| ```python |
| from datasets import load_dataset |
| ds = load_dataset("<user>/vashy", split="train") |
| ``` |
|
|
| --- |
|
|
| ## Intended uses |
|
|
| - **Symbolic regression & scientific ML**: a dimensionally-valid hypothesis |
| space / prior over candidate equations. |
| - **Physics education**: browsing dimensionless numbers and their structure. |
| - **Benchmarking**: testing whether models can recover known laws from |
| dimensional constraints. |
|
|
| ## Limitations & caveats |
|
|
| - **Dimensional consistency ≠ physical truth.** Most rows are coincidences; use |
| `plausible` and `score`, and validate against physics. |
| - **The constant `k₀` is undetermined** by dimensional analysis. |
| - **Only single dimensionless numbers are represented.** When a phenomenon needs |
| two or more independent Π groups, the true law is `Π₁ = f(Π₂, …)` with an |
| arbitrary function `f`; the dataset lists the individual irreducible Π groups |
| (the circuits), not the functional relation between them. |
| - **Pool-dependent.** The catalogue is exhaustive *for this 60-quantity pool*; |
| a different pool yields a different catalogue. |
| - Deliberate dimensional collisions in the pool (energy vs torque, action vs |
| angular momentum, entropy vs heat capacity, acceleration vs gravity) are real |
| and produce legitimate size-2 identities. |
|
|
| ## License |
|
|
| Released under **CC-BY-4.0**. The underlying facts are mathematical |
| consequences of SI dimensional definitions. |
|
|
| ## Citation |
|
|
| ```bibtex |
| @misc{r&d_mediation_2026, |
| author = { R&D Mediation }, |
| title = { PhysicsBabel (Revision 963a461) }, |
| year = 2026, |
| url = { https://huggingface.co/datasets/RANDMEDIATION/PhysicsBabel }, |
| doi = { 10.57967/hf/9544 }, |
| publisher = { Hugging Face } |
| } |
| ``` |
| # Discovering equations by AI |
|
|
| For instance, charge × flux = angular momentum |
|
|
| $$S = k_0 \cdot q \cdot \Phi \qquad L_a = k_0 \cdot q \cdot \Phi$$ |
| |
| The product of charge × magnetic flux has the dimensions of an **action** and of an **angular momentum**: [C]·[Wb] = [J·s]. This isn't a coincidence — it's the backbone of three chapters of quantum physics: |
| |
| $$q\Phi/\hbar$$ est une phase → l'**effet Aharonov–Bohm** ; |
| |
| $$L_a = q\Phi$$: le champ électromagnétique... |
|
|
| $$q\Phi = n\hbar$$ → la **quantification du flux**... |