The Discovery of Dynamics: A Study from a Machian Point of View of the Discovery and the Structure of Dynamical TheoriesEver since Newton created dynamics, there has been controversy about its foundations. Are space and time absolute? Do they form a rigid but invisible framework and container of the universe? Or are space, time, and motion relative? If so, does Newton's 'framework' arise through the influence of the universe at large, as Ernst Mach suggested? Einstein's aim when creating his general theory of relativity was to demonstrate this and thereby implement 'Mach's Principle'. However, it is widely believed that he achieved only partial success. This question of whether motion is absolute or relative has been a central issues in philosophy; the nature of time has perennial interest. Current attempts to create a quantum description of the whole universe keep these issues at the cutting edge of modern research. Written by the world's leading expert on Mach's Principle, The Discovery of Dynamics is a highly original account of the development of notions about space, time, and motion. Widely praised in its hardback version, it is one of the fullest and most readable accounts of the astronomical studies that culminated in Kepler's laws of planetary motion and of the creation of dynamics by Galileo, Descartes, Huygens, and Newton. Originally published as Absolute or Relative Motion?, Vol. 1: The Discovery of Dynamics (Cambridge), The Discovery of Dynamics provides the technical background to Barbour's recently published The End of Time, in which he argues that time disappears from the description of the quantum universe. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 81
Page 10
... the masses , precisely as was true for Newton's other forces , a conception which for a long time I considered as in principle the correct one . It presupposes implicitly , however , that the 10 Introduction to Volumes 1 and 2.
... the masses , precisely as was true for Newton's other forces , a conception which for a long time I considered as in principle the correct one . It presupposes implicitly , however , that the 10 Introduction to Volumes 1 and 2.
Page 11
... correct . But only , I contend , because the concept of the world's contents has changed out of all recognition . The part played by the triumphant success of the field concepts developed by Faraday and Maxwell in transforming the ...
... correct . But only , I contend , because the concept of the world's contents has changed out of all recognition . The part played by the triumphant success of the field concepts developed by Faraday and Maxwell in transforming the ...
Page 25
... correct . As we shall see in Chap . 10 , the discovery of this result by Newton around 1680 can , more than any other event , be said to mark the point at which the full structure of Newtonian dynamics had been found . It is a special ...
... correct . As we shall see in Chap . 10 , the discovery of this result by Newton around 1680 can , more than any other event , be said to mark the point at which the full structure of Newtonian dynamics had been found . It is a special ...
Page 57
... correct to equate Newton with Columbus ? Is it not much truer to say that Newton put together elements in a particular way , but that there is nothing particularly sacrosanct about the actual structure he finally chose ? Should not one ...
... correct to equate Newton with Columbus ? Is it not much truer to say that Newton put together elements in a particular way , but that there is nothing particularly sacrosanct about the actual structure he finally chose ? Should not one ...
Page 73
... correct determination of the motions of the planets , a discovery that finally blew apart the world to which he too clung . * Mention should here be made of Eudoxus , who was born circa 400 BC in Cnidus and died circa 347 BC . He was a ...
... correct determination of the motions of the planets , a discovery that finally blew apart the world to which he too clung . * Mention should here be made of Eudoxus , who was born circa 400 BC in Cnidus and died circa 347 BC . He was a ...
Contents
LVIII | 365 |
LIX | 378 |
LX | 384 |
LXI | 396 |
LXII | 402 |
LXIII | 406 |
LXIV | 409 |
LXV | 420 |
70 | |
74 | |
77 | |
84 | |
93 | |
XVIII | 100 |
XIX | 104 |
XXI | 110 |
XXII | 112 |
XXIII | 117 |
XXIV | 118 |
XXV | 122 |
XXVI | 128 |
XXVII | 139 |
XXVIII | 141 |
XXIX | 143 |
XXX | 149 |
XXXI | 155 |
XXXII | 159 |
XXXIII | 175 |
XXXIV | 183 |
XXXV | 191 |
XXXVI | 193 |
XXXVII | 196 |
XXXVIII | 203 |
XXXIX | 209 |
XL | 214 |
XLI | 221 |
XLII | 223 |
XLIII | 227 |
XLIV | 246 |
XLV | 252 |
XLVI | 258 |
XLVII | 264 |
XLVIII | 273 |
XLIX | 283 |
LI | 292 |
LII | 301 |
LIII | 322 |
LIV | 335 |
LV | 344 |
LVI | 352 |
LVII | 359 |
LXVI | 425 |
LXVII | 432 |
LXVIII | 435 |
LXIX | 437 |
LXX | 440 |
LXXI | 451 |
LXXII | 455 |
LXXIII | 457 |
LXXIV | 462 |
LXXV | 473 |
LXXVI | 476 |
LXXVII | 478 |
LXXVIII | 483 |
LXXIX | 495 |
LXXX | 498 |
LXXXI | 502 |
LXXXII | 503 |
LXXXIV | 515 |
LXXXV | 528 |
LXXXVI | 534 |
LXXXVII | 539 |
LXXXVIII | 546 |
LXXXIX | 556 |
XC | 566 |
XCI | 598 |
XCII | 605 |
XCIII | 609 |
XCIV | 617 |
XCV | 623 |
XCVI | 628 |
XCVII | 639 |
XCVIII | 645 |
XCIX | 646 |
C | 654 |
CI | 662 |
CII | 668 |
CIII | 672 |
CIV | 676 |
CV | 690 |
CVI | 697 |
CVII | 699 |
CVIII | 725 |
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Common terms and phrases
absolute space acceleration actually Almagest angle appears apsides area law Aristotelian Aristotle Aristotle's Astronomia Nova astronomy body Brahe Cartesian centre centrifugal force Chap circle circular motion clearly collision concept of motion Copernican Copernicus Copernicus's deferent defined definition Descartes described determined Dialogo discovery of dynamics discussion distance diurnal motion earth eccentricity ecliptic effect Einstein ellipse epicycle epicycle-deferent equal equant explain fact frame of reference Galilean invariance Galileo geometry gravity heavens Hipparchus Huygens Ibid idea important inertial motion Kepler kinematic law of inertia laws of motion Mach Mach's Mach's Principle Machian mass mathematical matter moon Motu move nature Newton Newtonian dynamics observations orbit passage phenomena philosophical physical planetary motions planets position precise Principia principle problem Ptolemaic system Ptolemy Ptolemy's quantity rectilinear relative revolution rotation Scholium significant solar speed sphere stars terrestrial theory things Third Law uniform motion universe velocity
Popular passages
Page 70 - All these things being considered, it seems probable to me that God in the beginning formed matter in solid, massy, hard, impenetrable, moveable particles, of such sizes and figures, and with such other properties and in such proportion to space as most conduced to the end for which he formed them...
Page 26 - To every action there is always opposed an equal reaction: or, the mutual actions of two bodies upon each other are always equal and directed to contrary pans.
Page 184 - Conjecture, he his fabric of the heavens Hath left to their disputes, perhaps to move His laughter at their quaint opinions wide Hereafter; when they come to model heaven And calculate the stars, how they will wield The mighty frame! how build, unbuild, contrive To save appearances; how gird the sphere With centric and eccentric scribbled o'er, Cycle and epicycle, orb in orb...
Page ix - I wish we could derive the rest of the phenomena of Nature by the same kind of reasoning from mechanical principles, for I am induced by many reasons to suspect that they may all depend upon certain forces by which the particles of bodies, by some causes hitherto unknown, are either mutually impelled towards one another, and cohere in regular figures, or are repelled and recede from one another.
Page 386 - A SLUMBER did my spirit seal ; I had no human fears : She seemed a thing that could not feel The touch of earthly years. No motion has she now, no force ; She neither hears nor sees ; Rolled round in earth's diurnal course, With rocks, and stones, and trees.
Page 121 - The squares of the periods of the planets are proportional to the cubes of their mean distances from the sun ; that is, ti2 : k2 ,• ,• ai3 ,• (h3This is the so-called harmonic law.
Page 356 - Philosophy is written in that vast book which stands forever open before our eyes, I mean the universe; but it cannot be read until we have learnt the language and become familiar with the characters in which it is written. It is written in mathematical language, and the letters are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without which means it is humanly impossible to comprehend a single word.
Page 74 - If you can look into the seeds of time, And say, which grain will grow, and which will not, Speak then to me, who neither beg, nor fear, Your favours, nor your hate.