Re: [Phys-l] Equations (causal relationship)

[John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>]

Michael Edmiston wrote:

> What do the equations say about the superposition of three electric 
> fields.  Do the equations say there are three fields at that point, or 
> one?

Before I answer the question, let me point out that the answer
cannot possibly provide evidence in favor of the notion that
"forces cause accelerations and not vice versa".
 -- Electric field at a point is a vector.
 -- Force is a vector.
 -- Acceleration is a vector.

The math is the same.  The physical interpretation is the same.

The laws of physics do not give any preference to forces relative to
accelerations.

==========

To answer the question:  The equations are silent on the issue.

To be specific, suppose
   Etot = E1 + E2 + E3

Then there is *no* equation that can tell the difference between Etot
and (E1 + E2 + E3).  This cuts to the core of what "equals" means.

This is the "substitution property of equality"
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substitution_property_of_equality

This answer has nothing to do with the physics of forces or accelerations.
This comes from the uttermost foundations of arithmetic.