Cant grasp difference between infinitesimal change and macroscopic change

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of infinitesimal change and macroscopic change, particularly in the context of volume changes as described in lecture notes. Participants seek clarification on the definitions and implications of these terms, with examples and mathematical interpretations being explored.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for a simple example to illustrate what is meant by infinitesimal change in volume (dV) compared to a larger change (ΔV).
  • Another participant provides an example, suggesting that an infinitesimal change could be represented as 0.0000000001L, while a large change might be 0.5L.
  • A question is raised regarding whether the textbook refers to the magnitude of change or if it implies a threshold below which changes are negligible.
  • One participant suggests that the question may be more suited for the math board, explaining the relationship between average speed and instantaneous speed using the concepts of delta and infinitesimal changes in position and time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not reach a consensus, as participants express different interpretations and seek clarification on the definitions and applications of infinitesimal and macroscopic changes.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the precise definitions of infinitesimal and macroscopic changes, as well as the mathematical implications of these concepts in different contexts.

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What does infinitesimal change in V mean? Can someone please illustrate with simple example.

Lecture notes say infinitesimal change in V = dV
And large change in V is delta V.. I don't understand what it means though
 
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Infitesimal change is something like... change in volume = 0.0000000001L

large change is something like... change in volume = .5L

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinitesimal"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
In the context of your textbook, was it just referring to magnitude or was it also using that as a way of saying, "change below the limit we need to be concerned with."?
 
I think this is more of a mathematical question, try and ask the question on the math board (calculus section).

It's like when you try and deduce the average speed of a car, when you know it traveled 10m in 2s, the average speed during those 2 seconds is 5m/s, and that's delta(x)/delta(t). If you want to know the exact speed at one particular moment in time, you need the function of x(t) and derive it, being dx/dt, so the infinitesimal change in position divided by the infinitesimal change in time.
 
Last edited:

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