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]

Re: [Phys-l] Equations



In the context of F=ma, jbellina wrote:
Of the top of my head, F is a cause, W is a descriptor.

1) Saying that F is a cause seems to imply that ma is the
corresponding effect ... right?

2) Is that always true? Do you know of any exceptions?

3) Suppose that in a certain situation, the students believed that
ma should be considered the cause and F considered the effect.
How would you persuade them to change their minds? Is there any
actual evidence that in general, F is the cause and ma is not?

4) Can you give a scientific definition of "cause" and "effect"?