Re: [Phys-l] Electromagnetic waves

["Bob Sciamanda" <treborsci@verizon.net>]

Earlier I wrote:
> Point out the simpler example of the damped oscillation equation, which
> applies to both the mass on a damped spring and to the RLC circuit.

Our understanding and our teaching are greatly enhanced by appreciating and 
emphasizing such mathematical models which happen to apply to several 
otherwise disparate physical phenomena.  However there is a grave danger in 
not emphasizing that in most of these cases the commonality is purely 
mathematical - the physical concepts and processes are usually completely 
disparate in the several different phenomena which happen to share a common 
form of mathematics.   There exists the danger of extrapolating the 
mathematical commonality to include a conceptual and/or physical identity. 
This extrapolation may begin as only a subconsious suggestion which , if not 
explicitly confronted, can later wreak conceptual havoc.

I am reminded of a quote from Freeman Dyson (poorly paraphrased from 
memory):
"I have great respect for Stephen Hawking, but he often confuses a 
mathematical model with the represented reality."

Indeed, in the understanding of the general public, this danger is often 
encouraged by the terminology and descriptions adopted by the professional 
physicists.  Currently I could refer to the literal interpretation of the 
words "String Theory" in the descriptions of this mathematical model. 
Perhaps popular presentations should emphasize that it is only the 
mathematics of string behavior that is intended, the underlying physical 
reality is far beyond our present ken.



Bob Sciamanda
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (Em)
treborsci@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/res12merh/ 





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