On Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 9:33:23 PM UTC-5, Alan Grayson wrote: > > If there are infinities in mathematics, but not in physics or in nature, > is that a problem? AG >
Infinity is not a number in the standard sense. It is a measure of a set, or cardinality that does not obey ordinary arithmetic. Cantor showed there exists a hierarchy of transfinite numbers and they obey a strange arithmetic such as aleph_m + aleph_m = aleph_m. In physics we do not expect to observe or measure infinity quantities. Even with Ohm's law V = IR for a given voltage potential V across a zero resistance material we predict an infinite current. However, a very low resistance material with a huge current physically adjusts itself, maybe by heating up, to increase the resistance. Zero resistance corresponds by reciprocal relationship an infinite conductivity, and this will lead to the observation of infinite currents. By way of contrast an infinite resistance means zero conductivity, and your VOM meter will show infinite Ohms, but really this is zero conductivity. We do not measure infinite quantities that are dynamical. LC -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/everything-list/77c7c72b-ac3b-4628-9a8f-fbd1215c8b60%40googlegroups.com.
