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Re: [Phys-l] teaching energy




----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob LaMontagne" <rlamont@postoffice.providence.edu>
To: "'Forum for Physics Educators'" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 3:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] teaching energy


If the KE is "in" the object, why is it only measurable by a person outside
the object - i.e., someone who can see the motion? Why is it different to
observers in different inertial frames of reference?

Because most calculations require that you choose a frame of reference (typically inertial)? The same argument could be made about momentum. WHERE the energy is assumed to reside is not impacted by how much is calculated, imo.