What is a Force? - Exploring the Meaning

[eranb2]

Hi

When reading about forces I see two things.

1. forces that act or do something.

2. force as something that has power, like god, god is a force, or, an army is a force, or, police force.

the "one" that acts has the same name as the act itself "force".


Why is that?



Thanks

 

[cepheid]

Hi.

This is not really a physics question. The answer to your question is, "because the word force has multiple meanings in English."

|fɔrs|
noun
1 strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement : he was thrown backward by the force of the explosion.
• Physics an influence tending to change the motion of a body or produce motion or stress in a stationary body. The magnitude of such an influence is often calculated by multiplying the mass of the body by its acceleration.
• a person or thing regarded as exerting power or influence : he might still be a force for peace and unity.
• [in combination ] used with a number as a measure of wind strength on the Beaufort scale : a force-nine gale.
2 coercion or compulsion, esp. with the use or threat of violence : they ruled by law and not by force.
3 mental or moral strength or power : the force of popular opinion.
• the state of being in effect or valid : the law came into force in January.
• the powerful effect of something : the force of her writing is undiminished.
4 an organized body of military personnel or police : a soldier in a UN peacekeeping force.
• ( forces) troops and weaponry : concealment from enemy forces | figurative a battle between the forces of good and evil.
• a group of people brought together and organized for a particular activity : a sales force.
• (the force) informal a police department.
5 Baseball a force out.
• a situation in which a force out is possible.

I hope this helps.

 

[tiny-tim]

… 2. force as something that has power, like god, god is a force, or, an army is a force, or, police force.

Hi eranb2!

Each of those examples can also be called a power.

But force and power have different meanings in physics.

(Similarly, stress and strain have essentially the same meaning in ordinary English, but different meanings in physics.)

The simple fact is that scientists naming something prefer to use an existing word, rather than invent one like chortle or wabe.

 

[Dale]

scientists naming something prefer to use an existing word, rather than invent one

Of course, there are exceptions, like "quark". But yes, I agree with you and cepheid

 

[flatmaster]

Of course, there are exceptions, like "quark". But yes, I agree with you and cepheid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quark_(cheese )

quark is a type of cheese. I think this is incidental though.

 

[SmashtheVan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quark_(cheese )

quark is a type of cheese. I think this is incidental though.

so does this mean everything is made of cheese?

I don't understand

:D

 

[russ_watters]

The point is that the OP is using words that have different meanings in different contexts. But this is "Physics Forums", so the relevant context is the scientific one. In that context, most of what the OP said is just gibberish.

Thread locked.