[Phys-L] what makes the car go?

[John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>]

In the "energy" thread, on 01/14/2016 12:38 PM, Carl Mungan wrote:

> How about this case: A guy on roller skates pushes off from a rigid
> wall. System = man. Any work done on the system? Does his internal
> energy change?

I agree, that's a crucial concept.

On 01/14/2016 12:50 PM, Carl Mungan wrote:

> The PSEUDOwork is nonzero, but not the THERMODYNAMIC work.

Also crucial.

--------------------------------------------

This discussion has drifted to the point where it makes contact
with the infamous question
  "What makes the car go?"

That is, when the car accelerates, does that involve something
that is transferred from the car to the road ... or does it
involve something that starts out within the car and remains
within the car?

I've seen this question answered wrongly more times than I
can count.

Here's my answer, in detail:
  https://www.av8n.com/physics/car-go.htm