Q&A: Vectors
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Vectors
Question
How do we know that the formulas dealing with physical vectors are correct and describe reality? Are these formulas things that were invented, and their relevance was tested in experiments, and it was found that they describe what happens in the world when forces are applied to objects?
Answer
What exactly are you referring to? Is this a question in physics / the philosophy of science? What’s the question?
Discussion on Answer
Yes. Like any law of nature, this is an induction whose predictions were tested empirically and found to be correct.
In the philosophy of science.
How did people arrive at these formulas? And how do we know that those same formulas will indeed help us predict the outcome in the next scenario?
Is it just induction, and nothing more?