Exploring Physics: Deriving Force & Beyond

[csrichie]

I was wondering how exactly should i view physics.

Using force as an example:

How is it derived? Why is force defined as mass times acceleration rather than something else?

is force just a "thing" that cause an object to accelerate but what it is exactly is not an concern to physics (nor the question of whether or not a force is a thing).




thanks!

 

[mgb_phys]

Physics is a set of models about how things work.
It starts with simple models "moving objects keep moving" and progresses up to more complicated ones.
Why these models are correct is probably where it becomes philosphy.
These models used to be called laws (eg. Newton's law of Gravity) it's probbaly better to think of them as just models.

 

[sir-pinski]

Physics can be viewed as the study of the fundamental laws and principles that govern the behavior of matter and energy in the universe. It is a branch of science that seeks to understand the fundamental nature of our physical world through experiments, observations, and mathematical models.

Now, let's look at how force is derived. Force is a concept that has been studied and defined by physicists for centuries. It is defined as any influence that can cause an object to accelerate, or change its state of motion. This definition has been derived through experiments and observations of the behavior of objects in motion. By studying the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, physicists have been able to develop the equation F=ma, which is known as Newton's Second Law of Motion.

But why is force specifically defined as mass times acceleration? This is because it accurately describes the relationship between the two quantities. Mass is a measure of an object's inertia, or resistance to change in motion, while acceleration is a measure of how quickly the object's motion is changing. By multiplying these two quantities, we get a measure of the force needed to cause the object to accelerate.

In regards to whether force is just a "thing" or not, it can be argued that it is a concept or a mathematical construct rather than a physical object. However, in the context of physics, the specific nature of force is not the main concern. What matters is how force affects the behavior of matter and energy in the universe and how it can be measured and predicted through mathematical models.

In conclusion, physics can be viewed as the study of the fundamental laws and principles that govern the behavior of matter and energy. Force, as a concept, is derived through experiments and observations and is defined as any influence that can cause an object to accelerate. The specific definition of force as mass times acceleration accurately describes its relationship with other physical quantities, and its exact nature is not a major concern in the study of physics.