- #1
- 1,895
- 11
"property" vs "characteristic"
OK, semantic hair-splitting time.
The two words "property" and "characteristic" mean essentially the same thing, but they are often distinguished from each other in textbooks. For example, with waves there are two sets of attributes (yet another synonym) "the properties of waves" and "the characteristics of waves."
Now one of these will be referring to "wavelength, frequency, waves speed, and amplitude."
The other set refers to the fact that "all waves reflect, refract, diffract, and interfere."
So here's the problem: which word properly should go with which set? I have my own opinion. Some texts agree with me yet others have the names reversed. Which makes more sense to some of you out there? For the sake of teaching my students, I have to solidify the use of these words.
TIA
OK, semantic hair-splitting time.
The two words "property" and "characteristic" mean essentially the same thing, but they are often distinguished from each other in textbooks. For example, with waves there are two sets of attributes (yet another synonym) "the properties of waves" and "the characteristics of waves."
Now one of these will be referring to "wavelength, frequency, waves speed, and amplitude."
The other set refers to the fact that "all waves reflect, refract, diffract, and interfere."
So here's the problem: which word properly should go with which set? I have my own opinion. Some texts agree with me yet others have the names reversed. Which makes more sense to some of you out there? For the sake of teaching my students, I have to solidify the use of these words.
TIA