Natalia, FORUM MODERATOR
18, Greece
855 points (SILICON)
June 10, 2009 04:03

How can we define a physical phenomenon?

How can we define a physical phenomenon?

I thought of A physical phenomenon is something that happens without including covalent bonds between atoms or molecules.

But still, it needs some expansion. Expressions like "physical phenomenon", "happen", "covalent bonds" etc. are fundamental, and it's hard not to consider them as obvious.

Could somebody help?
TAGS:
N@alia, MEMBER
18, Greece
576 points (IRON)
July 2, 2009 19:53

Also you have to decide what "something" is

 		 
 
  
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Also you have to decide what "something" is


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Natalia, FORUM MODERATOR
18, Greece
855 points (SILICON)
July 2, 2009 20:09

Seriously?
Ok, I'll try again!

"A physical phenomenon is whatever happens without including covalent bonds between atoms or molecules."

ok?

Anyway, do you have any other idea?

 		 
 
  
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Seriously?

Ok, I'll try again!


"A physical phenomenon is whatever happens without including covalent bonds between atoms or molecules."


ok? 


Anyway, do you have any other idea?


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N@alia, MEMBER
18, Greece
576 points (IRON)
July 2, 2009 20:32

Well I'm affraid it's not really a simple question to answer...

Take a look at this wikipedia article. It doesn't reply fully to your question, but I think it helps: A phenomenon (from Greek ??????o?, pl. ??????? - phenomena) is any observable occurrence. In scientific usage, a phenomenon is any event that is observable, however commonplace it might be, even if it requires the use of instrumentation to observe it. For example, In physics, a phenomenon may be a feature of matter, energy, or spacetime, such as Isaac Newton's observations of the moon's orbit and of gravity, or Galileo Galilei's observations of the motion of a pendulum.

So instaid of "something" I guess you could use "any event that is observable"...

Hope this helps:)

Here's the article I found if you're interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Physical_phenomenon&redirect=no

 		 
 
  
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Well I'm affraid it's not really a simple question to answer...


Take a look at this wikipedia article. It doesn't reply fully to your question, but I think it helps: A phenomenon (from Greek ??????o?, pl. ??????? - phenomena) is any observable occurrence.  In scientific usage, a phenomenon is any event that is observable, however commonplace it might be, even if it requires the use of instrumentation to observe it. For example, In physics, a phenomenon may be a feature of matter, energy, or spacetime, such as Isaac Newton's observations of the moon's orbit and of gravity, or Galileo Galilei's observations of the motion of a pendulum.


So instaid of "something" I guess you could use "any event that is observable"...


Hope this helps:) 


Here's the article I found if you're interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Physical_phenomenon&redirect=no


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Natalia, FORUM MODERATOR
18, Greece
855 points (SILICON)
July 2, 2009 20:41

Aha...

 		 
 
  
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Aha...


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N@alia, MEMBER
18, Greece
576 points (IRON)
August 27, 2009 00:37

Have I confused you? I don't think there is a simple definition...:(

 		 
 
  
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Have I confused you? I don't think there is a simple definition...:(


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Natalia, FORUM MODERATOR
18, Greece
855 points (SILICON)
August 27, 2009 22:30

No, you haven't! But what do we mean by "observable"? There are events that occur, but they are too small even for the most detailed microscope to observe. Aren't these "phenomena"?

 		 
 
  
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No, you haven't! But what do we mean by "observable"? There are events that occur, but they are too small even for the most detailed microscope to observe. Aren't these "phenomena"?


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N@alia, MEMBER
18, Greece
576 points (IRON)
August 28, 2009 02:14

Hmm... Good question! I guess you're right! Are there any phenomena we can't observe? I mean, even if we can't observe them with our eyes or microscope we still observe it with other kinds of instruments that sense different kinds of changes if that makes any sence...
I guess we have to define the word "observable" as well!!:S

 		 
 
  
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Hmm... Good question! I guess you're right! Are there any phenomena we can't observe? I mean, even if we can't observe them with our eyes or microscope we still observe it with other kinds of instruments that sense different kinds of changes if that makes any sence...

I guess we have to define the word "observable" as well!!:S


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Natalia, FORUM MODERATOR
18, Greece
855 points (SILICON)
June 18, 2010 21:55

I thought of diggin' up this question after a long time... :-P
"Something that is observable".. that really confused me. Because, as said before, not everything we consider as a phenomenon is observable. Or is it? "Phenomenon" in Greek means "what can be seen", as you said... Hmm...

 		 
 
  
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I thought of diggin' up this question after a long time... :-P

"Something that is observable".. that really confused me. Because, as said before, not everything we consider as a phenomenon is observable. Or is it? "Phenomenon" in Greek means "what can be seen", as you said... Hmm...


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orfeas, MEMBER
19, Greece
1668 points (SULFUR)
June 18, 2010 22:11

Which phenomenon cannot you see?

 		 
 
  
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Which phenomenon cannot you see?


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Natalia, FORUM MODERATOR
18, Greece
855 points (SILICON)
June 18, 2010 22:14

Let's say the movements of the quarks, or even further...

 		 
 
  
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Let's say the movements of the quarks, or even further...


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