What hath Newton wrought in the two centuries after his death?

In summary, Newton's work laid the foundation for science, which in turn led to the Industrial Revolution and advancements in technology. While he did not have direct contributions to the revolution, his impact on subjects such as astronomy, gravity, and predicting motion played a crucial role in making it possible. The steam engine, considered the most important machine of the early Industrial Revolution, may not have been possible without Newton's contributions to science.
  • #1
chaszz
59
2
I know that Newton's work made possible the Industrial Revolution, but I don't know how. I understand his impact on subjects like astronomy, gravity, and predicting motion, but not on mechanics and industrial technology. The steam engine was the most important machine in the early Industrial Revolution. Would its invention have been impossible without Newton? If so, how did his work make it possible?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
It's not that he had DIRECT contributions to the industrial revolution, it's that his contributions laid the foundation for science as we know it today, which itself led to the revolution in technology that we've seen.
 

Related to What hath Newton wrought in the two centuries after his death?

What impact did Newton's discoveries have on science?

Newton's discoveries, such as the laws of motion and universal gravitation, revolutionized the field of physics and laid the foundation for modern scientific inquiry. They also had a significant influence on other disciplines, including mathematics, astronomy, and engineering.

How did Newton's work contribute to our understanding of the universe?

Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation provided a comprehensive explanation for the behavior of objects in the universe, from the motion of planets to the falling of an apple. This allowed for the development of new theories and models to explain other phenomena, such as the tides and the motion of celestial bodies.

What advancements or technologies have been made possible by Newton's discoveries?

Newton's laws and theories have been applied to numerous practical applications, including the development of modern transportation and engineering systems. They have also led to advancements in space exploration and the understanding of the behavior of objects in outer space.

How did Newton's work impact the scientific community during his time?

Newton's work was met with both praise and criticism during his time. His theories were initially met with skepticism, but as his ideas gained more support and evidence, they became widely accepted and helped to establish the scientific method as the standard for conducting experiments and analyzing data.

What is Newton's lasting legacy in the history of science?

Newton's contributions to science have had a lasting impact that continues to this day. His laws and theories are still taught and applied in modern science, and his work laid the foundation for many other groundbreaking discoveries in physics and other fields. He is considered one of the greatest scientists in history and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scientists.

Similar threads

  • Art, Music, History, and Linguistics
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • STEM Career Guidance
Replies
10
Views
843
  • Art, Music, History, and Linguistics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
2
Views
864
  • Programming and Computer Science
Replies
29
Views
3K
Replies
20
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
963
Replies
43
Views
8K
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
5
Views
1K
Back
Top