Understanding of the universe: Newton Flashcards
Crucially, what was Newton?
A product of a changing scientific climate.
He built on what came before him, such as Kepler’s Laws of Motion and Galileo’s mathematical approach.
Forerunners: Descartes and Huygens
Who continued Galileo’s merger of mathematics and natural philosophy?
Rene Descartes who meant to publish a book explaining natural phenomena through maths, however he was essentially silenced by the Catholic Inquisition.
Forerunners: Descartes and Huygens
What was special about Huygens?
His work on motion and gravity influenced Newton.
He proposed a formula similar to Newton’s 2nd Law 14 years before Newton’s “Principia Mathematica”.
Career:
What was Newton elected to in 1672?
The Royal Society.
He was elected President in 1703.
Career:
What was the Principia Mathematica significant for?
It established gravity.
Career:
What other observations did Newton make in Principia Mathematica?
1 - Kepler’s laws could be proven mathematically.
2 - Questioned the Aristotelian view that Earth physics was different to elsewhere.
3 - Could explain centrifugal force.
Career:
What were his three laws of motion?
1 - Object move in straight line unless externally forced to change.
2 - External force on an object = mass x acceleration.
3 - For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Career:
What was his law of universal gravitation?
Planets are pulled towards the Sun, not pushed towards, as Kepler assumed.
Gravity has such a force that the movement of planets keeps them in circular motion.
Impact:
Was he majorly impactful on progressing the understanding of the universe?
He was no catalyst, rather he was a consequence of a century long process.
However, he completed the merger of maths with natural philosophy as all his calculations were correct.
Impact:
What hindered the accessibility and impact of his work?
It was published in Latin and wasn’t until Voltaire translated it that the masses could access it.
Magic:
Did he and Kepler believe in magic?
Yes.
They were both obsessed with cosmic harmonies, such as God creating 6 planets to fit a geometric system.
Impact:
What was Newton?
An alchemist, as many in the Royal Society were.
Thus, there was a belief in supernatural forces.
