Voltage and pressure are by convention the defining dependent variables,
i.e., V=IR, P=hd.  Voltage is by analogy an electrical pressure that depends
upon the product of two independent variables, I and R, Pressure (P) is the
dependent variable that depends upon the product of the two independent
variables height (h) and density (d).  Of course we can algebraically
manipulate the variables to solve for anyone of them.  However, Occam's
razor suggests the simplicity of direct proportional relationship as opposed
to directly as one and inversely as the other. I hope this helps.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Hulatt, Jon" <jhulatt@MONSTEREUROPE.COM>
To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 10:22 AM
Subject: Re: [EE]: Why isn't Ohm's Law written I=V/R?


> But I is only the dependant variable in *one* way of looking at it. V=IR
is
> the appropriate way of writing it if you consider ohm's law to mean " V =
> the voltage drop across resistance R with current I passing through it".
You
> can come up with a similar, equally valid phrase, for the third way of
> writing it out (r=v/i).
>
> I was tought to remember ohm's equation in the same way as the
> distance=speed.time thing:- picture a triangle like this:-
>
>
>         D
>     -----
>     S | T
>
> If you cover up the value you want to find with a finger, the layout of
the
> other 2 gives you the form of the equation.
>
>
>         V
>    -------
>     I | R
>
> Ie. Cover up I, and you see V over R.
>
> Jon
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Rick Regan [mailto:drrdr@CHARTER.NET]
> > Sent: 15 April 2004 15:14
> > To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> > Subject: [EE]: Why isn't Ohm's Law written I=V/R?
> >
> >
> >   Does anyone know why Ohm's law is writtem V=IR (E=IR)
> > instead of I=V/R?  Of course I know they're equivalent.
> > I just wondered why - if I is the dependent variable and V
> > and R are the independent variables - it's basic form
> > isn't I=V/R.
> >
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