Physicist · 1643 – 1727
Isaac Newton
Key Takeaways
- Newton's three laws of motion and universal gravitation founded classical mechanics.
- He independently invented calculus (alongside Leibniz).
- His 1687 Principia is one of the most important scientific books ever written.
- He showed that white light is composed of a spectrum of colors.
Sir Isaac Newton stands at the summit of the Scientific Revolution. With a handful of mathematical laws he unified the falling apple and the orbiting Moon, transforming humanity’s picture of the cosmos.
The Principia
Published in 1687, Newton’s Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica set out the three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation, demonstrating that the same forces govern the heavens and the Earth.
Beyond mechanics
Newton’s Opticks revealed the composition of white light, and his independent invention of calculus gave science a new mathematical language. His synthesis reigned until Albert Einstein reimagined space and time two centuries later.
Influence
Newton's laws governed physics for over two centuries and remain the working tools of engineering; he defined what it means for science to be mathematical and predictive.
Legacy
'Newtonian' became synonymous with the clockwork universe, and his synthesis stood unchallenged until Einstein.
Major Works
- Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687)
- Opticks (1704)
Controversies
- Engaged in a bitter priority dispute with Leibniz over the invention of calculus.
- Spent enormous effort on alchemy and biblical chronology, largely unpublished.
Notable Quotes
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Connections
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Isaac Newton?
Isaac Newton (1643–1727) was an English physicist and mathematician who formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, co-invented calculus, and founded classical mechanics.
What did Isaac Newton discover?
He discovered the laws of motion and universal gravitation, co-invented calculus, and showed that white light is made of a spectrum of colors.
Biography Books
Citations & Sources
- Gleick, J. — Isaac Newton (Pantheon, 2003).
- Encyclopædia Britannica — 'Isaac Newton'.
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