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Re: [Phys-l] Equations



Of the top of my head, F is a cause, W is a descriptor.

joe

Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. Ph.D.
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556

On Apr 27, 2006, at 4:52 PM, JMGreen wrote:

When one looks at an equation which relates physical entities, how
does your mind picture things?

eg F=ma

Do you picture F as a pushing by something -- a hand which is shoving
on a block?

Or is F the motion -- ie acceleration -- if a hand does happen to push?

eg W=dE

Do you picture W as the effort required -- a hand pushes a block over
a given distance?

Or is W the resultant energy of the pushing -- if the block were pushed?

Are F/W thought of as causes or effects?

Jim

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