Are all physical quantities an equivalence relation?

In summary: The law of conservation of mass is not simply additive.In summary, the speakers discuss the concept of physical equivalence and whether it is applicable to all quantities in the same way. They question why the zeroth law of thermodynamics is stated as a law, while the concept of physical equivalence is not. They also discuss specific examples of quantities and their relations, such as the equivalence of masses and the transitivity of properties.
  • #1
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Consider this self-evident proposition: "If object A has the same mass as object B and object C separately, then object B has the same mass as object C." Why isn't this stated as a law, but the zeroth law of thermodynamics is?

Is there a physical quantity u such that the u of A is equal to the u of B and separately to the u of C, but the u of B is not equal to the u of C? (It is not right Euclidean.)

Is there a physical quantity u such that the u of A is more than the u of B, and the u of B is more than the u of C, but the u of A is not more than the u of C? (It is not transitive.)

Edit: More precisely, the topic question should be "is the relation brought about by every physical quantity an equivalence relation?", which is rather mouthful.
 
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  • #2
A quantity is a property or an attribute, whereas a equivalence relation is a relation between two properties. So its per se not the same thing. As soon as you measure quantities or describe qualities you normally use equations which are per definition a equivalence relation.
E.g. if you look at fusion or fission processes you see that you cannot simply add up masses.
 

Related to Are all physical quantities an equivalence relation?

What is an equivalence relation?

An equivalence relation is a mathematical concept that describes a relationship between two objects that is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive. This means that the relation holds for an object and itself, is true for any two objects in either order, and is transitive for any three objects.

How does an equivalence relation apply to physical quantities?

In physics, an equivalence relation can be used to describe the relationship between different physical quantities. For example, the relationship between mass and energy in Einstein's famous equation, E=mc2, can be seen as an equivalence relation.

Are all physical quantities considered equivalent under an equivalence relation?

No, not all physical quantities are considered equivalent under an equivalence relation. Only quantities that have a direct mathematical relationship, such as mass and energy, can be considered equivalent in this context.

What are the benefits of using an equivalence relation in physics?

Using an equivalence relation in physics allows for a deeper understanding of the relationships between different physical quantities. This can lead to new insights and discoveries in the field of physics.

Are there any limitations to using an equivalence relation in physics?

While an equivalence relation can be a useful tool in physics, it is not always applicable to all situations. Some relationships between physical quantities may not fit the criteria of an equivalence relation, and therefore cannot be described using this concept.

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