The Principia

by Isaac Newton

A groundbreaking work in the field of physics and mathematics. In this monumental work, Newton formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, laying the foundation for classical mechanics and revolutionizing our understanding of the physical world. The Principia remains one of the most significant scientific books ever written, influencing generations of scientists, and shaping the course of modern physics and mathematics.

The Groundbreaking Work of Sir Isaac Newton

Mathematical proofs and equations. Comprehensive coverage of planetary motion. Helps in understanding the principles of motion. Logical and rigorous approach to scientific inquiry. Studied and revered as a seminal work in the field of science.

716 pages, Paperback

Published February 12, 2024

About the author

Sir Isaac Newton, FRS , was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, and alchemist. His Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, published in 1687, is considered to be the most influential book in the history of science. In this work, Newton described universal gravitation and the three laws of motion, laying the groundwork for classical mechanics, which dominated the scientific view of the physical universe for the next three centuries and is the basis for modern engineering. Newton showed that the motions of objects on Earth and of celestial bodies are governed by the same set of natural laws by demonstrating the consistency between Kepler's laws of planetary motion and his theory of gravitation, thus removing the last doubts about heliocentrism and advancing the scientific revolution.

In mechanics, Newton enunciated the principles of conservation of momentum and angular momentum. In optics, he invented the reflecting telescope and developed a theory of colour based on the observation that a prism decomposes white light into a visible spectrum. He also formulated an empirical law of cooling and studied the speed of sound.

In mathematics, Newton shares the credit with Gottfried Leibniz for the development of the differential and integral calculus. He also demonstrated the generalised binomial theorem, developed the so-called "Newton's method" for approximating the zeroes of a function, and contributed to the study of power series.

Newton was also highly religious (though unorthodox), producing more work on Biblical hermeneutics than the natural science he is remembered for today.

In a 2005 poll of the Royal Society asking who had the greater effect on the history of science, Newton was deemed much more influential than Albert Einstein.