Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

[Phys-l] Equations

When one looks at an equation which relates physical entities, how does your mind picture things?

eg F=ma

Do you picture F as a pushing by something -- a hand which is shoving on a block?

Or is F the motion -- ie acceleration -- if a hand does happen to push?

eg W=dE

Do you picture W as the effort required -- a hand pushes a block over a given distance?

Or is W the resultant energy of the pushing -- if the block were pushed?

Are F/W thought of as causes or effects?

Jim