2007-09-26 10:38:17 · 11 answers · asked by Jace 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Fundamental, ubiquitous, and indispensable. You may have heard of the "end of Newtonian Physics" or how determinism has been replaced by quantum mechanics. This is not really true. It is an overstatement. Newtonian physics is a limiting case of quantum physics. They are part of the same truth. One can't exist without the other. Newtonian physics is still completely reliable in the realm of protists, pool balls, people, and planets. Only at the cosmic extremes do we find quantum physics to be a necessary paradigm.
2007-09-26 10:47:32 · answer #1 · answered by Brant 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. His famous 3 laws of motion are the basis for virtually every calculation engineers make about how things move, or whether or not they'll move or stay put. Every engineering project that deals with physical objects relies on those laws.
2. He invented calculus (so did Leibniz, independently). Calculus is arguably the most useful branch of mathematics ever invented. It is used daily in everything from civil engineering to cosmology to economics.
3. He described how gravity works. Before the space age, the laws of gravity gave us a remarkable new understanding of the dynamics of the universe. Since the space age began (50 years ago), those laws have been indispensible in calculating how to get spacecraft to go where we want.
4. He invented the reflecting telescope. EVERY major telescope of today, including the Hubble, is basically modeled after that design.
5. And of course, he invented a very delicious fig cookie.
2007-09-26 11:06:41 · answer #2 · answered by RickB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once Newton invented gravity then things tended to stay put. Before that they just floated around willy-nilly. Nobody ever knew where something would wind up. Half the time the furniture was on a wall or ceiling. Of course being able to fly was pretty neat for people, but in order to get something you often have to give up something else.
2007-09-26 10:43:12 · answer #3 · answered by Info_Please 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He invented Calculus forcing countless generations of college students to suffer through it.
He also invented the reflecting telescope. His laws describing universal gravitation were the basis for all theories used in physics and engineering until Einstein.
To Rick B.
I overcame the obvious desire to list the "Fig Newton". As a top contributor I expected better from you.
2007-09-26 10:54:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much -everything- in the world of mechanical engineering.
Doug
2007-09-26 11:03:32 · answer #5 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's discovered the laws of gravity.
2007-09-26 10:42:49 · answer #6 · answered by zeos 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont sit under fruit trees.
2007-09-26 10:40:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We now know gravity exists!
2007-09-26 10:45:56 · answer #8 · answered by misora1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apples are delicious!
2007-09-26 10:39:56 · answer #9 · answered by Tim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ehh motion and how things go.
2007-09-26 10:40:28 · answer #10 · answered by LizCorpse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋