[Phys-L] Re: What IS a field? (Was Re: Physics (chem.) Humor)

[Brian Whatcott <betwys1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>]

At 01:07 PM 3/24/2005, you wrote:
> Bernard Cleyet wrote:
>
> > Is space empty when it contains fields.  How is matter different from
> > its fields?
>
> The more I learn about fields the more confused I am about them.  Do the
> particles create the fields or do the fields create the particles?  Does
> that question even make sense?  What IS a field?
>
> I do tell my students that an electric field (for example) is a real
> thing, just as real as the charged particle that creates it.  But
> thankfully, no one has asked me to elaborate on "create."
>
> --
> Rodney Dunning
> Assistant Professor of Physics
> Birmingham-Southern College


A field is the current model for working with observations involving
action at a distance, with no "visible means of support".


Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!
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