Simplification assumptions in physics problems

[sophiecentaur]

Thanks @sophiecentaur , so one last question on this,

So textbook problems provide all information before-hand? This is convention/definition right?? Thanks! (This was one last concept question =D)

I couldn't speak for all textbooks and some questions can be mis-printed, badly written or just plain bad ones. I can't imagine why you keep asking what is effectively the same question. Are you hoping for a different answer? You have to ask yourself - what would be the point of a totally open question, where data is missing?

 

[Amad27]

I couldn't speak for all textbooks and some questions can be mis-printed, badly written or just plain bad ones. I can't imagine why you keep asking what is effectively the same question. Are you hoping for a different answer? You have to ask yourself - what would be the point of a totally open question, where data is missing?

Hello @sophiecentaur,

My dilemma is that somehow I get winded up into philosophy.

Can I ask you something? Is this question a philosophical question?

The problem is philosophical questions never really have proper answers.

If this is philosophy, would you suggest accepting this fact and moving on??

Thanks! A lot

 

[sophiecentaur]

Hardly philosophical - just pragmatic. How does someone know they have the right answer if the question has not been defined? Where the framework is well defined (as in elementary Physics) and you want to learn how to use it, open ended questions are just counterproductive.
Move on - as you suggest. There is nothing philosophical about the dynamics of a bowling ball.

 

[Amad27]

Hardly philosophical - just pragmatic. How does someone know they have the right answer if the question has not been defined? Where the framework is well defined (as in elementary Physics) and you want to learn how to use it, open ended questions are just counterproductive.
Move on - as you suggest. There is nothing philosophical about the dynamics of a bowling ball.

Hello @sophiecentaur , I meant something a little different.

Is the question of why and how we make certain assumptions a philosophical question? Is it philosophy asking why we believe word problems require certain assumptions such as there is no leakage in the trough?

Because this sort of deals with existence and communication so I just thought it was philosophy.

**************And philosophy does not have an absolute answer, so the best way to go about it is to accept that word problems provide all information, without a reason of WHY. **************

What do you say?

 

[sophiecentaur]

Hello @sophiecentaur
**************And philosophy does not have an absolute answer,

What do you say?

And neither does Science. But most of Science starts from an entirely different place.
This thread should no longer be on this forum, imo. It should, rather, be somewhere in the 'lounge' as it is not helpful for someone who just wants to know Physics better.

 

[Amad27]

And neither does Science. But most of Science starts from an entirely different place.

I'll stop talking, but will you answer one more thing? Please? I don't think I've seen a reply on this question but,

(*) Was the question philosophical?(*)

Thanks! (thank you for responding @sophiecentaur !)