How do you explain thein laymen words (i.e. in the unit N.s)?

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The discussion focuses on explaining the multiplication sign (.) in physics, specifically in the context of units like Newton.meter (Nm). It clarifies that the multiplication sign represents the concept of work or energy, linking force and distance. The conversation also touches on the division sign (/) and its broader applications beyond just representing rates. An example is provided to illustrate how area is calculated using length and width, resulting in square meters (m²). Overall, the thread emphasizes the importance of understanding these basic unit representations in physics.
k273
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Greetings.

I really want to know how to explain the . (i.e. in the unit N.m) to a person not expert to physics?

As for the / (for example in the unit m/s) I can explain to one, that it is the rate or the value of the speed/velocity for every single unit of time, in this case second.

Hope this question can be understood.
Thanks a lot!
 
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Welcome to PF.

The / is the division sign, the . is the multiplication sign. There really isn't anything to explain beyond that. You can't generalize a / as a rate becaue that's not all it is used for. Consider: lb/in^2.
 
russ_watters said:
Welcome to PF.

The / is the division sign, the . is the multiplication sign. There really isn't anything to explain beyond that. You can't generalize a / as a rate becaue that's not all it is used for. Consider: lb/in^2.

Thanks, well, all this time surfing, just the last month I found this forum for things related to physics.

So by that you mean nothing could be said to explain what the multiplication sign in Force.space or its unit (i.e. Newton.meter) is all about? Thanks.
 
k273 said:
So by that you mean nothing could be said to explain what the multiplication sign in Force.space or its unit (i.e. Newton.meter) is all about? Thanks.

Why not explain Nm as the unit for F.d which is work or energy used up?

That should make sense that if you don't use force, you don't use energy, and that the greater the distance you push something the greater the work done. (If they ask more, there's the troublesome details that it must be in the direction of the distance, and also that you can use up a lot of energy pushing things no where and you get no work done - but I'm sure anyone who's a boss will understand that;)
 
atyy said:
Why not explain Nm as the unit for F.d which is work or energy used up?

That should make sense that if you don't use force, you don't use energy, and that the greater the distance you push something the greater the work done. (If they ask more, there's the troublesome details that it must be in the direction of the distance, and also that you can use up a lot of energy pushing things no where and you get no work done - but I'm sure anyone who's a boss will understand that;)

Thanks! That would help me. Any other way to explain, anyone?
 
How about units for area?

The area of a rectangle is length.width ( remember "." is multiplication here)

Length could be measured in meters, width could be measured in meters also. So the units of area become m.m, or m2 (what we call "square meters").
 

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