Re: [Phys-l] workable versus unworkable energy

[JMGreen <jmgreen@sisna.com>]

At 03:18 PM 1/8/2007, John Denker wrote:
> I am reminded of the following wise little poem:
>
>     Be very, very careful what you put into that brain,
>     because you will never, ever get it out again.
>
>                                 -- Paul Jackson

A very good reminder!  It surely applies to the way the concept of 
"heat" is used.

> That brings me [John] to the topic of the day, namely the association
> of energy with "the ability to do work".
>
> We cannot equate (much less define) energy as the ability to do
> work, because that would violate the first or second law of
> thermodynamics.  For details on this point, see
>   http://www.av8n.com/physics/thermo-laws.htm#sec-workability


Could some kind soul please explain what John is talking about -- 
maybe give an example or two.

Jim


J M Green
Email:  MailTo:JMGreen@sisna.com
WWW: HTTP://users.sisna.com/JMGreen