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]

Measuring Volts?



Wes Davis wrote:

I find that most of my HS physics don't really UNDERSTAND the
difference between the quantity being measured and the UNIT for that
quantity. Has this possibility been discussed, and I missed it? Or is
the possibility too ludicrous to consider?

I believe this goes to the distinction between Dimensions and Units which
was rather hotly discussed on this list some time ago. In my vocabulary,
a "dimension" specifies the *nature* of the quantity being measured or
specified (Length, Area, Force, Charge, etc). A "unit" is attached to a
mathematical entity (a signed number in the case of a scalar quantity) to
specify the *size* or *amount* of the specification or measurement result,
in terms of a chosen standard amount (cm, acre, Newton, Coulomb, etc.).
Consult the archives for on-list diversity/confusion about these matters.

Bob Sciamanda (W3NLV)
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
trebor@velocity.net
http://www.velocity.net/~trebor