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Selections from Newton's Principia
Newton's new conception of the laws of the universe challenged centuries of received opinion, and laid a new foundation for our - common sense - understanding of the physical world. This book guides you through the essentials of Newton's argument in his own words, using only elementary mathematics.
120 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2004
55 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Newton
965 books875 followersSir 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 14, 2021
Adam Rose lead the discussion during autumn quarter year three of the basic program.
List of Definitions and Laws in Principia
Quantity of Matter
The quantity of matter is the measure of the same arising from its density and
magnitude conjointly.
Quantity of Motion
The quantity of motion is the measure of the same arising from the velocity and the
quantity of matter conjointly
Inherent Force (force of inertia)
The inherent force of matter is the power of resisting, by which each and every body,
to the extent that it can, perseveres in its state either of resting or of moving
uniformly in a straight line.
Impressed Force
Impressed force is an action exerted upon a body for changing its state either of
resting or of moving uniformly in a straight line.
Centripetal Force
Centripetal force is that by which bodies are pulled, pushed or in any way tend,
towards some point from all sides, as to a center.
Absolute Quantity of Centripetal Force
The absolute quantity of centripetal force is the measure of the same, greater or less
in proportion to the efficacy of the cause propagating it from the center through the
encircling regions.
Accelerative Quantity of Centripetal Force
The accelerative quantity of centripetal force is the measure of the same,
proportional to the velocity which it generates in a given time.
Motive Quantity of Centripetal Force
The motive quantity of centripetal force is the measure of the same proportional to
the motion which it generates in a given time.
Law 1
Every body continues in its state of resting or of moving uniformly in a straight line,
except insofar as it is driven by impressed forces to alter its state.
Law 2
The change of motion is proportional to the motive force impressed, and takes place
following the straight line in which that force is impressed.
Law 3
To an action there is always a contrary and equal reaction: or, the mutual actions of
two bodies upon each other are always equal and directed to contrary parts.
These are followed by six corollaries, some propositions and proofs.
List of Definitions and Laws in Principia
Quantity of Matter
The quantity of matter is the measure of the same arising from its density and
magnitude conjointly.
Quantity of Motion
The quantity of motion is the measure of the same arising from the velocity and the
quantity of matter conjointly
Inherent Force (force of inertia)
The inherent force of matter is the power of resisting, by which each and every body,
to the extent that it can, perseveres in its state either of resting or of moving
uniformly in a straight line.
Impressed Force
Impressed force is an action exerted upon a body for changing its state either of
resting or of moving uniformly in a straight line.
Centripetal Force
Centripetal force is that by which bodies are pulled, pushed or in any way tend,
towards some point from all sides, as to a center.
Absolute Quantity of Centripetal Force
The absolute quantity of centripetal force is the measure of the same, greater or less
in proportion to the efficacy of the cause propagating it from the center through the
encircling regions.
Accelerative Quantity of Centripetal Force
The accelerative quantity of centripetal force is the measure of the same,
proportional to the velocity which it generates in a given time.
Motive Quantity of Centripetal Force
The motive quantity of centripetal force is the measure of the same proportional to
the motion which it generates in a given time.
Law 1
Every body continues in its state of resting or of moving uniformly in a straight line,
except insofar as it is driven by impressed forces to alter its state.
Law 2
The change of motion is proportional to the motive force impressed, and takes place
following the straight line in which that force is impressed.
Law 3
To an action there is always a contrary and equal reaction: or, the mutual actions of
two bodies upon each other are always equal and directed to contrary parts.
These are followed by six corollaries, some propositions and proofs.
February 6, 2024
Unbelievably genius.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews