4 ms·
I dislike this. The ½ comes from an integration. Whenever you see a square term in an equation, there's often a corresponding ½. Yes, we could "simplify" equa
by woofie11 5y ago
I dislike this.
The ½ comes from an integration. Whenever you see a square term in an equation, there's often a corresponding ½.
Yes, we could "simplify" equations by getting rid of the ½ and squashing it into the units, but at that point, all of the stuff makes less sense.
I do physics with kids, and often show area (usually of a triangle) as the distance traveled with constant acceleration, the energy of something, the accumulated debt or what-not. The source of the ½ is very obvious -- we're looking at a triangle and not a rectangle.
- SirIsaac 5y agoThe ½ comes from integrating W = Fd. No one is arguing against that. The equation should be W = mv² = 2Fd. Why? because v² = 2 a*d.
- woofie11 5y agoYes, the algebra works, but you lose the intuition for what's going on. There's a pattern of factorial terms you see with successive integrations: 1/1, 1/2, 1/6, 1/24, 1/n!, Multiplying by 2 changes this to 2, 1, 1/3, 1/12, 2/n!. I view that as a clear loser, not a winner.
- SirIsaac 5y agoOk. Thanks for the exchange.