Quaternions and Cauchy Classical Theory of Elasticity

Developed by French mathematician Augustin-Louis Cauchy, the classical theory of elasticity is the starting point to show the value and the physical reality of quaternions. The classical balance equations for the isotropic, elastic crystal, demonstrate the usefulness of quaternions. The family of wave equations and the diffusion equation are a straightforward consequence of the quaternion representation of the Cauchy model of the elastic solid. Using the quaternion algebra, we present the derivation of the quaternion form of the multiple wave equations. The fundamental consequences of all derived equations and relations for physics, chemistry, and future prospects are presented.