How's That, Again? Addressing statements on educational TV

It's the other way round isn't it? They behave as liquids normally and become "solid" when subjected to shock.

Keep in mind the 'lies to children' principle. That is that it is easier to get people to understand something by explaining it in a simple way, even if your explanation is wrong.

An example is the way atomic structure is taught, in high school it is described as being rather like a miniature solar system. At college level* it is more like bands and god alone knows what it is once you hit degree level.

This is known as 'lies to children' because this is the way we automatically teach children about things. If, as was the case in my family, a young child asks 'where does coffee come from?'. The simplest answer, and the one they will understand best, is 'We get ours from the supermarket'.

(*College in the UK use - meaning education from the ages of 16-18. University is 18+, High/Secondary School is 11-16 and primary school is 3-11. Sixth form is the same as college, but courses take place in the high school - making such places identical to American High Schools as I understand them.)

I look at it like, you have to lie to kids for them to be able to grasp the basic concepts that build on each other. A 6th grader will not be able to understand how to do derivatives so they can figure F=m*dS/dt. Not to mention the vectors involved. So a simplified version F=mA is used.

OF course, by the time you get to calculus, you realize that even that is a lie to some degree and reality is an even harder to understand form of math.

but that is different from "when you mix cornstarch and water it acts like a solid when it is at rest, but as a liquid when force is applied." which is what they said on the TV show that I found objectionable.

now you see my point.

I think solids are rigidly defined; in a manner of speaking. That would mean any material that does not meet the standards would be classified as a liquid (fluid) (assuming it is not a gas).

non-newtonian stuff is NOT necessarily solid until you apply pressure. some non-newtonian stuff is liquid until you apply pressure. some non newtonian stuff is always liquid, just not the same liquidness as water.

but solid is solid. if you apply pressure, it may deform, or it may shatter, but it will not suddenly be more or less solid.

nitpick accepted - it will not suddenly be more or less solid - except if it becomes a liquid, at which time is is no longer a solid.

just the boundaries of reasoned discourse. the definitions of solid, liquid, gas, and plasma have been formally established. quibbling over what is what pulls the topic off-course.