Isaac Newton
Newton began his advanced studies at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1661. At the time, the school was still mired in the teachings of Aristotle, despite advanced theories proffered by Descartes, Galileo and Copernicus. Newton chose to closely follow the more modern teachings. In 1665 he formulated his generalized binomial theorem and began work that would later develop into infinitesimal calculus. He obtained his degree in 1665, then continued his work in private. In the two years following his graduation, he fully developed his theory on calculus as well as theories relating to optics and the universal law of gravitation.
His influence covered a great spectrum of knowledge, so Sir Issac Newton’s career can be best broken down into areas of scientific study and his contributions to each. In mathematics, he is credited with with the generalized binomial theorem, Newton’s identities, Newton’s method, classified cubic plane curves(polynomials of degree three in two variables), contributions to the theory of finite differences, and is known to be the first to use fractional indices and to employ coordinate geometry to derive solutions to Diophantine equations. He created a precursor to Euler’s summation formula by using approximated partial sums of the harmonic series by logarithms. He was the first known to use power series with confidence and to revert power series.
In optics he was interested in using refraction to separate white light into the full color spectrum. He then showed that a lens and a second prism could convert the spectrum back into white light. He showed that the colored light does not change properties. He did this by separating a colored beam and shining it on various objects. Newton noted that regardless of whether it was reflected or scattered or transmitted, it stayed the same color. His theory of color states that color is the result of objects interacting with already colored light rather than objects generating the color themselves. These observations led him to concluded that the lens of a refracting telescope would experience this dispersion of light into colors now known as chromatic aberration. To prove his theory he built the first refracting telescope, but he used a mirror as an objective to eliminate chromatic aberration.
In 1679 or 1680, Sir Issac Newton renewed his interest in mechanics, astronomy, and gravitation. At this time he worked out a proof that the elliptical form of planetary orbits would result from a centripetal force inversely proportional to the square of the radius vector. This became the nucleus of his great work Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which was published in July, 1687. This work stated his three laws of motion. The Principia also brought attention to a calculus-like method of geometrical analysis, gave the first analytical determination of the speed of sound in air, referenced the Earth as an oblate spheroid, accounted for the precession of the equinoxes, and provided a theory for the determination of the orbits of comets.
In his later life, Issac Newton turned to theology and published many papers involving the literal translation of the Bible. He died quietly in his sleep in 1727. A great light having gone out in the world of science and man.
We have written many articles about Isaac Newton for Universe Today. Here’s an article about what Isaac Newton discovered, and here’s an article about the inventions of Isaac Newton.
If you’d like more info on Isaac Newton, check out these articles:
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton: The Universal Law of Gravitation
We’ve also recorded an entire episode of Astronomy Cast all about Gravity. Listen here, Episode 102: Gravity.
Source:
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/newton/
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