The logic of modern physicsBridgman, P. W. (Percy Williams)
Philosophy
The logic of modern physics
Bridgman, P. W. (Percy Williams)
Physics -- Philosophy
relativity theory, namely that all mass, mechanical or electrical, must
be the same function of velocity. If now electrical mass can be found in
terms of velocity, our immediate problem is solved and we shall be in a
position to complete the experimental check of the equation. But as a
matter of fact, in order to determine electrical mass, we have to use
that equation which we are now engaged in trying to establish. Logically
we have again the vicious circle, the physical significance of which is
that independent operations do not exist for giving unique meaning to
the concept of force on a charge at high velocity.
We seemed so close to our goal a minute ago; that we may allow ourselves
to jump the logical chasm, and assume that the equation is correct.
Electrical mass now becomes a definite function of velocity, mechanical
mass the same function, and we are in a position to compare the actual
acceleration received by a charge in a field with that calculated by the
equation. Our conviction, on the basis of all experience up to the
present, is that the two accelerations will be found to agree.
The equation then does somehow make correct connection with experience
in that a consequence of the equation can be verified experimentally, in
spite of the fact that as the equation stands it is meaningless, because
the operations do not exist by which meaning can be given to the
individual terms. At low velocities the equation really says what it
seems to say, because the individual terms have meaning in terms of
operations; and, what is more, what the equation says agrees with
experiment. At high velocities the equation does not mean at all what
appears on the surface; by itself it has no meaning; it has meaning only
when considered as a member of a system of equations, and only in so far
as the system of equations makes by implication statements about nature
that have meaning in terms of operations that can be carried out
physically. The individual terms of the equation of the system do not
have meaning at high velocities, and in fact there are more terms than
there are independent physical operations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account