Isaac Newton
Also called: Newton · Topic: Renaissance, Reformation and the Scientific Revolution · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 5 "Changing Cultural Traditions"
Meaning
Isaac Newton (1642–1727) was an English scientist. His theory of gravitation, the force that pulls objects towards each other, explained with one law both the motion of the planets and the fall of objects on earth. It was the climax of the Scientific Revolution, which began with Copernicus. His work showed that nature follows fixed laws that can be found through observation, experiment and mathematics.
Example
Newton set out his theory in Principia Mathematica, published in England in 1687.
Don't confuse with
- Copernicus: Copernicus said that the earth goes round the sun. Newton explained why, using gravitation.
- Johannes Kepler: Kepler described the oval (elliptical) paths of the planets. Newton's gravitation explained the cause of those paths.