At the top of the cited wiki page, it starts with the simplifying assumption of *point* charges. Perhaps the discrepancy would disappear with a more realistic model of charges. I dunno. Ask a mathematician.
Harry On Fri, Mar 2, 2012 at 11:03 AM, David Roberson <[email protected]> wrote: > I imagine that Newton's laws would be difficult to understand in certain > coordinate systems but that does not suggest that they fail to function. > Are you implying that the laws of physics work or not depending upon the > view point? I contend that the real world does not care what coordinate > system we select to observe it as our choice is merely for our convenience. > Maybe we are not discussing the same issue. > > Dave > > > -----Original Message----- > From: James Bowery <[email protected]> > To: vortex-l <[email protected]> > Sent: Fri, Mar 2, 2012 3:45 am > Subject: Re: [Vo]:Physice depends on choice of coordinates > > Newton's laws in spherical coordinates.... > > Sure... why not? > > Give it a try and report back. > > On Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 10:26 PM, David Roberson <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> I do not agree that the choice of coordinate systems changes the physics >> of any experiment. I only see the coordinate system chosen as a way to >> locate the position and other position derivatives of a body. >> >> Could you explain how the Madelung constant would relate to real world >> effects? >> >> Dave >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: David Jonsson <[email protected]> >> To: vortex-l <[email protected]> >> Sent: Wed, Feb 29, 2012 6:42 pm >> Subject: [Vo]:Physice depends on choice of coordinates >> >> Hi >> >> The wish and desire of having physics independent of coordinate system can >> not be met nor fulfilled. The Madelung constant is proof of this. It becomes >> divergent in spherical coordinates and convergent in cubic coordinate. >> Covariance can thus be forgotten. >> >> Check >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madelung_constant >> >> Are there any other examples of this effect where choice of coordinate >> system gives different values? >> >> David >> >> >> David Jonsson, Sweden, phone callto:+46703000370 >> >> >> >> >> >
