Newtonian Physics
The basic laws of physics were discovered through the famous Isaac Newton and his theories and laws have had significant influence in the now controversial quantum theory. He identified universal laws that are the basis for Quantum theory including acceleration, momentum and conservation laws (Madden et. Al 2006, p. 384). These state that;
1. A body remains at rest or moves in a straight line of constant velocity as long as no external forces act on it
2. A body acted on by a force will accelerate such that a force equals mass times acceleration (f=ma)
3. For very action there is an equal and opposite reaction
He also identified the universal law of gravity through the expression;
f_g=(Gm_1 m_2)/R^2
Where G is the gravitational constant, 6.668 x 10-8, r is the distance between two object (km) and m is the mass of an object (kg).
Additionally vectors were outlined in order to describe motion. His accomplishments weren’t without flaws as these concepts revolves around, “a direct connection between the cause and effect”, hence the 3rd law (Schombert 2001, p.1). Magnetism clearly contradicts Newton’s concepts as it is action at a distance. This is particularly useful in relation to particles as it was later identified that an exchange of force between charged particles is evident, enabling a transfer of momentum coinciding with Newton’s laws. This was thought to explain action at a distance however the ongoing debate of light as either a wave or particle was later to come to a head, causing what we now know as the Quantum theory.
1. A body remains at rest or moves in a straight line of constant velocity as long as no external forces act on it
2. A body acted on by a force will accelerate such that a force equals mass times acceleration (f=ma)
3. For very action there is an equal and opposite reaction
He also identified the universal law of gravity through the expression;
f_g=(Gm_1 m_2)/R^2
Where G is the gravitational constant, 6.668 x 10-8, r is the distance between two object (km) and m is the mass of an object (kg).
Additionally vectors were outlined in order to describe motion. His accomplishments weren’t without flaws as these concepts revolves around, “a direct connection between the cause and effect”, hence the 3rd law (Schombert 2001, p.1). Magnetism clearly contradicts Newton’s concepts as it is action at a distance. This is particularly useful in relation to particles as it was later identified that an exchange of force between charged particles is evident, enabling a transfer of momentum coinciding with Newton’s laws. This was thought to explain action at a distance however the ongoing debate of light as either a wave or particle was later to come to a head, causing what we now know as the Quantum theory.
References
Madden, Stelzer, Lindsay, Parsons, Gaze 2006, “Physics a contextual approach”, Reed international books Australia, Queensland
Schombert 2001, “Modern Science”, viewed 14th October 2012, <http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/21st_century_science/lectures/lec03.html>
Schombert 2001, “Modern Science”, viewed 14th October 2012, <http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/21st_century_science/lectures/lec03.html>