Re: [Phys-l] Equations (causal relationship)

[John Mallinckrodt <ajm@csupomona.edu>]

On Apr 30, 2006, at 8:14 PM, Michael Edmiston wrote:

> Well... I think "controlling the car's acceleration and letting the  
> car
> figure out the force" is a big stretch.

Really?  As I've maintained all along, I have room in my philosophy  
for both views.  Moreover, I tend to agree with the general consensus  
that it makes more sense pedagogically to consider forces to "cause"  
accelerations than the other way around.

But isn't it clear to us--as physicists--that it is a moot point?   
And is it really such a big stretch to accept what seems to me to be  
nothing less than obvious--that driving a car safely involves  
"controlling" its acceleration.  We look at what's going on around us  
and see to it that our car's motion--its kinematics--is compatible  
with that scene.  Indeed, this is the reason I can immediately drive  
cars I've never been in before without knowing any details about the  
engine, the transmission, etc.

John "Slo" Mallinckrodt

Professor of Physics, Cal Poly Pomona
<http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajm>

and

Lead Guitarist, Out-Laws of Physics
<http://www.csupomona.edu/~hsleff/OoPs.html>