Re: heat is a form of energy

[brian whatcott <inet@INTELLISYS.NET>]

At 11:07 9/11/99 -0400, you wrote:

> I model neither energy nor charge as substances; they are calculated,
> mathematical quantities - like scores that one tallies in a game. I have
> exposed the pitfalls of energy reification in the past on this list.
>
> However, I do find it useful to apply some of the properties of substances
> to mathematical entities, either as metaphors or simply by recognizing a
> commonly accepted widened use of certain words (institutionalized
> metaphors?).  For example, I find it more than a metaphor to apply the
> ability to "flow" to any mathematical quantity which obeys the diffusion
> equation....

> Bob Sciamanda (W3NLV)

Goodness Gracious! The radical Bob Sciamanda seems to be asking us to
 believe in a term like 'energy density' which supposes that energy
attaches to volumes (though others will say in his defense that such
 volumes may have less than three dimensions), as well as 'energy flow'
which supposes that such a volume can pass through a controled area in
some measured time.    :-)

brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>
Altus OK