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Re: Mass



1. Hi, Jim. Thanks for making an important point about teaching. Let's
realize that a major character trait in almost all teachers - peaking in
the younger years - is an overwhelming urge to potificate. Especially in
answer to a student's question. I'll not repeat the joke about the little
girl who asked her mom, "Mom, where did I come from?".

The first step in responding to a question is to ask myself, "Did I
understand the question?" IF I think I did, then I'll try a question or
comment to check out my understanding, because until I've done that the
questioner and I are not in communication. For example, since I know that
Jim invariably has an agenda in mind when he asks a question, and I'm
curious about the agenda, I'll respond as follows:

Jim, what have you got against Feynman's discussion in I-9-1 of
the Feynman lectures?

2. I object to Dan Crowe's definition of "gravitation mass" because it is
circular. "Force" and "field" are not independent concepts. The circle
closes when I recall that the gravitational field is the force per unit
mass.




On Mon, 18 Oct 2004, Jim Green wrote:


Therefore the definition of mass as what is measured by a balance is
probably the only good definition for most HS courses, and the majority of
intro. college courses.

My heavens, Folks, in my original question I said nothing about teaching HS
kids. We are trying to teach ME -- over here in my little corner of the
galaxy.

What is "mass"?

Jim


Jim Green
mailto:JMGreen@sisna.com
http://users.sisna.com/jmgreen



--
"Trust me. I have a lot of experience at this."
General Custer's unremembered message to his men,
just before leading them into the Little Big Horn Valley