One's choice of coordinate systems is entirely arbitrary... It's a mathematical tool you choose to suit the problem at hand, not linked to nature in any physical way.
On Fri, Mar 2, 2012 at 7:44 PM, James Bowery <jabow...@gmail.com> wrote: > I'm only pointing out a practical consideration that is central to science. > If you can't communicate you relinquish reproducibility. > > > On Fri, Mar 2, 2012 at 10:03 AM, David Roberson <dlrober...@aol.com> 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 <jabow...@gmail.com> >> To: vortex-l <vortex-l@eskimo.com> >> 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 <dlrober...@aol.com> >> 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 <davidjonssonswe...@gmail.com> >>> To: vortex-l <vortex-l@eskimo.com> >>> 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 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >
