Wow, If we can generate this much discussion with simple algebra, think what we could do with partial differential equations, knot theory, Hilbert space or the Navier-Stokes equations... Ed ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Hawkshaw" To: Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 10:05 AM Subject: Re: Why isn't Ohm's Law written I=V/R? > Because Ohm was a physicist, not an electronics engineer. > > Ohm's Law states: > "The potential difference (voltage) across an ideal conductor is > proportional to the current through it. > The constant of proportionality is called the "resistance", R. " > > This is what he would have said - or something very similar (or not at all > similar if he said it in German :-) > He might equally have said: > "The current through an ideal conductor is directly proportional to the > potential difference accross it." > > The first came from the net and the second from an old "O Level" physics > book. > > The equations which we have later adopted to make convienient use of his law > are all equally valid representations of the same thing. It is usually > written as V=IR (or E=IR) because (I believe) before computers, the other > two ways of writing it down would have taken up two lines. Only since > computers have we had the / symbol. > > Hope this helps.....Mike. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Rick Regan" > To: > Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 3:13 PM > 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. > > > > -- > > http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList > > mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified as Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.657 / Virus Database: 422 - Release Date: 13/04/2004 > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: > [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads