Re: Causation in Physics: F=ma

[Brian Whatcott <betwys1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>]

At 09:51 AM 11/14/2003, John D.,  you wrote:
> ///
>   3) Cause should precede effect.  The force F does
> not precede the acceleration a=F/m ... they must
> both happen at the same time.

///

As commonly demonstrated, it is in principle, easy to demonstrate
 that a force does precede the acceleration of a body - of an
extended body at least; as most massy things are.

Arrange that the extended body has a particularly low effective
modulus - some arrangement of slender springs perhaps.
A push will first displace the proximate surface, which is then
transmitted through the mass.

Though the modulus of most materials precludes our easily seeing
 the initial deflection and the transmission of the pressure wave
 - it is certainly there.



Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!