Re: why pseudowork (NOT)

[Jim Green <JMGreen@SISNA.COM>]

> I would say, for instance, that when two blocks collide
> inelastically, they may or may not do work on each other
> (depending on the definition you want to use, the reference frame,
> etc.), but they *certainly* do not heat each other (beyond some
> minor amount that might occur by conduction simply due to
> contact.)  Still, their internal energies increase and their
> temperatures may rise measurably primarily as a result of the
> conversion of bulk kinetic energy into internal energy.

This seems to me like just so many words.  The _only_ way to increase the
internal energy of a system is to do either work or heat on the
system.  (ie delta E = W + Q)  To say things like

> conversion of bulk kinetic energy into internal energy.

is just hand waving.

We have already discussed ad nausium the fact that energy does not
"move".  The only way to change the bulk kinetic energy is to do work on
the system.  Why do we have to make such a mystery out of the First Law and
it's partner The Work/Energy principle.

Jim Green
mailto:JMGreen@sisna.com
http://users.sisna.com/jmgreen