What does this word mean in physics language?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the meanings of the terms "relative" and "arbitrary" in the context of physics. Participants explore how these concepts apply to quantities like velocity and reference points, as well as their implications in different physical theories.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that "relative" refers to the need for a reference point to give meaning to a quantity, such as velocity, which requires two pieces of information.
  • Others argue that "arbitrary" indicates the lack of a specific reason for choosing a particular reference point or unit, allowing for flexibility in comparisons.
  • One participant provides an example involving cars in a drag race to illustrate how relative velocity can remain consistent regardless of the units used, emphasizing the concept of arbitrary units.
  • Another participant notes that the phrase "relative to B" can have multiple interpretations, such as being in a coordinate system fixed to B or involving subtraction of values, which can lead to different meanings in classical physics versus relativity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the terms "relative" and "arbitrary," indicating that multiple competing views remain without a clear consensus on their meanings in physics.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential ambiguities in the definitions of "relative" and "arbitrary," particularly in how they apply across different physical theories and contexts.

kyin01
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relative and arbitrary

for example

"I can take relative to any point I choose. I choose this point here arbitrary"

And

"relative to that point."
 
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They mean the same as they do in English.
 
You said it in your post. For instance, velocity can be considered relative because it needs a reference point - generally, it means that you need 2 pieces of information for a quantity to be meaningful. So if I say somethings has a speed of 5m/s, that's meaningless, but if I say 5m/s relative to that lampost, then it has meaning.

Arbitrary - exactly that. When comparing quantities relative to each other and a third reference point, we can use arbitrary units. E.g. if one car in a drag race is moving 2x faster than another relative to the start point and we use arbitrary time units, it does not matter what units we use (metres, feet, Planck lengths, etc), the relative velocity will be 2x. In general, that means no specific reason for choosing a unit/point of reference.
 
Arbitrary point/quantity value x: any point or quantity value from the space of allowed positions/values.

The expression " relative to B" can have different meanings:
sometimes it means "in coordinate system fixed to B", else it can mean "when the value at B is subtracted".
Those two meanings are sometimes identical, sometimes not. For example: speed of object A in the system fixed on object B is
v(A)-v(B) in classical physics, but not in the theory of relativity.
 
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