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Re: [Phys-l] Movie Physics Gafs

On 09/12/2011 01:00 PM, chuck britton wrote:
I think that the N-seeking terminology is not not just confusing but
it is totally WRONG ! ! !

Agreed.

There are WAY many more compasses in the world than there are worlds
- so the compass label WINS.

Absolutely.

==================

This is yet one more example of the principle that ideas are primary,
while terminology is tertiary. There is an *idea* that opposites attract.
Unless this idea is understood, fussing over the terminology is pointless.
The physics says: If you have a bunch of compasses distributed around
a bar magnet, the compasses will not be oriented the same way as the
bar magnet. They just won't. Complexifying the terminology will not
change this fact.


n
S s
n | n
s n | s
s N



Legend: n = north pole of small compass
N = north pole of big bar magnet


Magnetic poles are named after the compass, not after the big magnet
inside the earth. The physics dictates you can't have it both ways,
so you have to choose. Again: Complexifying the terminology will
not change this fact.