[Phys-L] Re: Momentum

[John Denker <jsd@AV8N.COM>]

Rick Tarara wrote:

> I think there are many cases where modeling energy as 'substance like' works
> well,

Yes.

> but this is not one of those.

Please explain.  What is "this" problem we're trying to solve?

  -- Conservation of energy and conservation of momentum have always worked
   for me.  I'm not seeing a problem with them.
  -- In the absence of a problem, it is hard to say whether "the"
   problem could be solved by de-reifying energy.

=========

That reminds me of a funny(?) story.  A math student, for his thesis, hypothesized
the existence of a certain class of objects (I forget the details).  He spent four
years working out the fascinating properties of such objects.  At his thesis
defense, an outside examiner blurted out a proof that no such objects exist.
The student had spent four years studying the members of the null set!
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