Russ, Before people knew about magnetism, it must have seemed miraculous that two stones would spontaneously start to move toward (or away from) each other. Now we can say, "Oh, it's just magnetism". But if we think about long enough, we may still wonder how two objects can move toward or away from each other. My question would be, "Does magnetism still seem a bit miraculous, or do you feel your question is answered, at least for magnetism? In either case, what would a satisfying answer look like?"
John ________________________________________ From: Friam [friam-boun...@redfish.com] on behalf of Russ Abbott [russ.abb...@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, April 19, 2013 1:50 PM To: FRIAM Subject: [FRIAM] How do forces work? Yesterday I asked this question<http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/61542/how-do-forces-work?noredirect=1#comment123788_61542> on StackExchange: physics. Is there a mechanistic-type explanation for how forces work? For example, two electrons repel each other. How does that happen? Other than saying that there are force fields that exert forces, how does the electromagnetic force accomplish its effects. What is the interface/link/connection between the force (field) and the objects on which it acts. Or is all we can say is that it just happens: it's a physics primitive? So far, there haven't been any answers that feel satisfying--although, please look at them yourselves. One of the comments pointed to a 7 1/2 minute video by Feynman, in which he talks around the problem before finally saying he can't provide an intuitive explanation. I don't think it was one of his better efforts. Does anyone on this list have an answer? -- Russ Abbott _____________________________________________ Professor, Computer Science California State University, Los Angeles My paper on how the Fed can fix the economy: ssrn.com/abstract=1977688<http://ssrn.com/abstract=1977688> Google voice: 747-999-5105 Google+: plus.google.com/114865618166480775623/<https://plus.google.com/114865618166480775623/> vita: sites.google.com/site/russabbott/<http://sites.google.com/site/russabbott/> CS Wiki<http://cs.calstatela.edu/wiki/> and the courses I teach _____________________________________________ ============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
