How does an object know how far to move when it's moving?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of how an object determines the distance it must move when in motion, exploring ideas related to the properties of space, the nature of movement, and the interaction between objects and forces. The scope includes theoretical and conceptual aspects of classical mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that space has properties, including distance, and that information must be transferred between an object and space regarding its movement.
  • Others argue that movement is relative, and an object perceives itself as at rest while everything else moves past it, challenging the notion of communication between the object and space.
  • A participant suggests that an external force must communicate to an object when it must change its state of motion, referencing Newton's laws of motion.
  • Another participant expresses frustration with perceived misunderstandings of classical mechanics and emphasizes the need for humility in discussions about physics.
  • There are challenges to the initial claims about information and communication, with one participant stating that the assertions are unfounded.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing views on the nature of movement and the interaction between objects and space. Participants express differing interpretations of classical mechanics and the role of forces in motion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved assumptions about the nature of space and movement, as well as the dependence on interpretations of Newton's laws. The discussion reflects a range of understandings and disagreements regarding foundational concepts in physics.

Gama
Messages
5
Reaction score
3
TL;DR
question about space interaction with objects, and transfer of information
Space must have properties, it's not just empty nothing, and one of those properties is distance. When an object moves through space at a velocity V information has to be transferred between the object and space. The object has the information that it is moving at velocity V which is distance/time. Space must communicate to the object what that distance is. The object must communicate to space that I have to move that distance. How does this happen?
 
  • Haha
  • Skeptical
Likes   Reactions: davenn, berkeman and PeroK
Physics news on Phys.org
Gama said:
When an object moves through space at a velocity V information has to be transferred between the object and space.
This does not happen.
Gama said:
The object has the information that it is moving at velocity V which is distance/time.
No.
Movement is relative. The object thinks it's at rest and that everything else is moving past it.

Gama said:
The object must communicate to space that I have to move that distance.
If you start an object moving, it will continue to move forever, until and unless its motion is affected by some external force (such as a wall, or the air).

You appear very interested in classical mechanics, but you've got a ways to go to become fluent in it. You could start with Newton's Laws of Motion.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davenn, russ_watters and Baluncore
Gama said:
The object must communicate to space that I have to move that distance.
It's the other way round. Something has to communicate to an object that it must change its state of motion. If there is a charged particle in an electromagnetic field, for example, then the field and particle must interact in order to realise the electromagnetic force. The particle then changes its state of motion in response to that force. Changing your state of motion in response to a force is called acceleration. This is the subject of Newton's second law of motion.

If there is no field interacting with the particle then it does not change its state of motion. This is called moving inertially and is the subject of Newton's first law of motion.
 
I am very aware of newton's laws of motions. You laugh because you don't understand. Before you think you have superior knowledge have some humility and try and understand. What you take for granted as obvious is not obvious at all. Maybe I see further than you do.
 
  • Haha
  • Sad
  • Skeptical
Likes   Reactions: weirdoguy, davenn and berkeman
Gama said:
I am very aware of newton's laws of motions.
But you just don't believe them?
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters, phinds and PeroK
Gama said:
Maybe I see further than you do.
As you sit in your chair, contemplating the laws of physics, what velocity are you communicating to space?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters
Woo-wee. (Emphasis on the "woo").

Thread paused for Moderation...
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters, Ibix, topsquark and 1 other person
The thread will remain closed. The assertions in the OP about information and communication are unfounded. So there is simply nothing to discuss here about how they happen.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: topsquark, phinds and Bystander

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
918
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K