Re: Y chromosome, dropped magnet, S pole in Canada

[Ludwik Kowalski <kowalskil@MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU>]

1) I would not say  "magnetism is a force," as in the
    World Book Encyclopedia.
2) The second part of Herb's definition, "Magnetism
     is a force associated with magnets and magnetic
     materials," is acceptable only when the term
     "magnetic material" has already been defined,
     INDEPENDENTLY (avoiding a circular definition).
3) Brian introduces the term "essence." What is it?

I have nothing to offer, only a recognition that
defining things is sometimes more difficult than
describing examples and getting used to words.
Ludwik Kowalski

On Monday, Jul 21, 2003, Larry Smith wrote:

> > At 9:10 AM -0500 7/6/03, John Clement wrote:
> > Looking at the World Book encyclopedia, that
> > terminology is not used at all.  It actually has a
> > number of good observations but the first sentence
> > is extremely bad.  "Magnetism is a force that acts
> > between certain objects called magnets."
> 1. Why is it bad?
>
> 2. How would you have worded it?