Re: [Phys-l] A simple (?) question about "to the left"

[John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>]

On 09/12/2007 07:57 AM, Folkerts, Timothy J wrote:
> While we're on phrasing, here is one that I hadn't thought much about
> before.  I described a force during circular motion as "to the left" for
> the driver.  Talking later to a couple students, I realized they were
> interpreting this as a force "to the left *side* of the driver, pushing
> him toward the *right*."
>
> It had never occurred to me this might be an issue!  It is surprising
> sometimes that the terminology we find so clear can be misinterpreted so
> easily.  The word "toward" instead of "to" would help a bit I think, but
> still wouldn't completely solve the problem.

Yeah.

Also try this:  A west wind, or a westerly wind.  Physicists
name vectors by the direction they are pointing /to/, whereas
mariners, aviators, and meteorologists name winds by the
direction they are coming /from/.

But wait, there's more.  When diagramming the winds, meteorologists
draw an arrow representing the velocity vector, just like a physicist
would, pointing downwind
  http://adds.aviationweather.gov/winds/
..... but on a plain old weather vane, the arrow points upwind
  http://thecountrygentleman.com/images/R510.jpg


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Also, in some parts of the chemistry community, they represent
dipole moments by vectors pointing the wrong way:
  http://www.av8n.com/physics/electric-dipole.htm

It's no wonder that students are confused.

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Extra-credit question:
  What do you call a labyrinth of corn?