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Re: current density?



On Sat, 1 May 1999, Robert A Cohen wrote:
(According to my edition of Webster's, density is "the quantity per unit
volume, unit area, or unit length")

Whenever one of the various "Webster's" is quoted in the midst of a
scientific discussion, my built-in horsepucky-alert system begins to send
me alarm signals. We've all seen people trying to invoke obscure or
scientifically inappropriate references.

This time I think your Webster's has it about right. I think it's pretty
clear that the physics community and the scientific community in general
over the years have opted to use the term "density" to describe all sorts
of "concentration of quantity" in relationships of one, two or three
(four?) dimensions. We can argue about whether or not that *should* have
been allowed to happen, but it has happened. <sigh> And we all know how
it goes from there; once terminology gets into the literature and the
usage, it isn't going to change. </sigh>

Best wishes,

Larry

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Larry Cartwright
Physics, Physical Science, Internet Teacher
Charlotte High School, 378 State Street, Charlotte MI 48813
<physics@scnc.cps.k12.mi.us> or <science@scnc.cps.k12.mi.us>

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I am very good at learning from my mistakes.
Undoubtedly, I shall learn a great deal today.
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