Re: Aether, light, and mediums ... mmmmkay?

From: Bill Hobba (bhobba_at_rubbish.net.au)
Date: 06/24/04 

Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 12:22:22 GMT

"Cozmo Man" <cozmologist@scientist.com> wrote in message
news:20040624000758.664$gQ@news.newsreader.com...
> Bill Hobba wrote:
> > "Cozmo Man" <cozmologist@scientist.com> wrote in message
> > news:20040623002136.524$vM@news.newsreader.com...
> >> A physicist cannot have enough mathematics. As you describe the
> >> books you used to learn the physics I am reminded of those, by
> >> contrast, who struggle to grasp the mathematical aspects of
> >> physics in even the more baby-book approaches. Knowing the
> >> mathematics permits you the luxury of devoting your effort to
> >> understand the physics rather than struggle along with the math.
> >> Enjoy your advantage!
> >
> > Thanks for the kind words but fairness demands I add a few
> > comments. Yes it does allow you to concentrate on understanding
> > the physics but at the cost of loosing a 'feel' for the subject.
>
> If you do not now have that "feel" for the physics then you never did.

Interesting point. I suspect I really do not have a feel, and never really
did, - but I still like it. Math always came easier.

> Some of us are lucky enough to have a "feel" for one or the other, but
> people like Einstein and Feynman had a "feel" for both.

Boy did they ever.

> Knowing
> mathematics could only enhance a "feel" for the physics, not cause you
> to lose it.

I must admit to being more comfortable with the equations than the physical
ideas behind them. I remember when I was about 14 trying to work out how
feedback in amplifiers worked. I read books comparing it to giving
pendulums a nudge etc and never really got it. So I wrote down the
equations and all was clear. Even in relativity I read the discussions
about lightening strikes etc and they left me cold. I saw an actual
derivation of the Lorentz transforms and felt much more comfortable. It
just seems to be the way I am.

Good post
Bill

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