> John Edser  wrote:
>> > > (1) Not a single constant is represented within
>> > > the rule. The terms r,b and c are just variables.
>> > > Thus the rule has absolutely no frame of reference,
>> > > i.e. it is logical but not rational. Within the
>> > > sciences any rational mathematical expression must
>> > > refer back to at least one constant term in order
>> > > to make any sense. [...]

"Tim Tyler"  wrote
>> > Very funny.
>> > I note that:
>> >   F = ma;
>> > ...doesn't seem to reference any constant terms either.
>>
>> JE:-
>> I'm afraid TT is Incorrect.
>>
>> Within Newtonian mechanics
>> Mass (m) must remain constant with velocity
>> which in this case is simply implied by
>> acceleration [...]
>
> Mass is a constant?!?
>
> If so what is its value? ;-)

What he probably means is that, for a given dynamical problem governed by 
the expression F = ma, the value of m is predefined at the outset and does 
not vary under the Newtonian model. This is actually dead wrong; eg, F = ma 
applies to a jet plane taking off; since the plane is burning fuel, and fuel 
contributes to m, m is not a constant but a monotonically decreasing 
function of time. Since the pilot is also steadily increasing the thrust of 
the jets, F is also a function of time, so (ignoring air and tire 
resistance) we have

F(t) = m(t)*a

so the differential equation for instantaneous velocity v is

dv/dt = F(t)/m(t)

=======================================

He also wrote:

> Within Newtonian mechanics
> Mass (m) must remain constant with velocity
> which in this case is simply implied by
> acceleration (a) because:
>
>       a = (change in v)/t

This is also not true, unless a is constant. If a is not constant (eg the 
motion of an object falling under gravity through a viscous medium) then the 
differential form

a = dv/dt

must be used.

> This very basic assumption of Newtonian
> mechanics was refuted by the Michealson-Morely
> experiment.

Wrong again; the MM experiment established that the speed of light is the 
same for all observers.

Einstein's special theory of relativity
> was just a refinement of the so called Galileian
> transformation:

Wrong again; the transformation of coordinates that explains the results of 
the MM experiment was due to Lorentz and Fitzgerald, not Einstein. Einstein 
developed the Special Theory using the LF transformation as a starting 
point.
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