Re: Y chromosome, dropped magnet, S pole in Canada

[Ludwik Kowalski <kowalskil@MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU>]

Let me try to produce a definition of "magnetism." It is
based on words "magnet" and "electromagnet,"  which
are defined first. Is my definition acceptable?
Ludwik Kowalski

Magnets are solid objects which attract iron but do
not attract aluminum. Electromagnets behave like
magnets but operate on the based on macroscopic
currents (rather than on the basis of microscopic
currents in atoms and molecules, as magnets).

Magnetism is a subdivision of physics dealing
mostly with magnets and electromagnets.

On Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003 Ludwik Kowalski wrote:

> 1) I would not say  "magnetism is a force," as in the
>      World Book Encyclopedia.
> 2) The second part of Herb's definition, "Magnetism
>       is a force associated with magnets and magnetic
>       materials," is acceptable only when the term
>       "magnetic material" has already been defined,
>       INDEPENDENTLY (avoiding a circular definition).
> 3) Brian introduces the term "essence." What is it?
>
> I have nothing to offer, only a recognition that
> defining things is sometimes more difficult than
> describing examples and getting used to words.
> Ludwik Kowalski
>
> On Monday, Jul 21, 2003, Larry Smith wrote:
>
> > > At 9:10 AM -0500 7/6/03, John Clement wrote:
> > > Looking at the World Book encyclopedia, that
> > > terminology is not used at all.  It actually has a
> > > number of good observations but the first sentence
> > > is extremely bad.  "Magnetism is a force that acts
> > > between certain objects called magnets."