NEWTONIAN MECHANICS

In 1987 the world science societies marked the 300th anniversary of the publication of Newton's book Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. His book is unequalled in the whole history of science. Mathematically it could only be compared to Euclid's ['ju:klidz] Elements. It immediately became the bible of the new sciences.

Newton's contribution into the world science was a decisive one in finding the mathematical method for converting physical principles into quantitatively calculable results that can be confirmed by observation, and, conversely, to arrive at the physical principles from such observations.

The instrument by which he did this was the infinitesimal calculus which he used to solve vital questions in physics and taught others to do the same.

By its use it is possible to find the position of a body at any time knowing the relations between that position and its velocity or law of force is known, the path can be calculated. Applied inversely, Newton's law of gravitational force follows directly from Kepler's law of motion. Mathematically they are two different ways of saying the same thing.

The calculus, as developed by Newton, could be used and was used by him for solving a great variety of mechanical and hydrodynamic problems. In his Principles Newton did far more than establish the laws of motion of the planets. He established, once and for all, the dynamic view of the universe instead of the static one and showed that the universe was regulated by simple mathematical laws.

Exercise 1. Complete the following sentences adding information from the text.

1. Newton’s Principles were published … .

2. Mathematically it could be compared … .

3. Newton developed the mathematical method for … .

4. By means of his infinitesimal calculus it is possible to find …

5. Newton’s calculus can be used for solving … .

6. In this work Newton established … and showed … .

Exercise 2. Formulate the main idea of the text.

Exercise 3. Give a short summary of each paragraph by choosing the key sentence.

Exercise 4. Speak on the problem described in the text. Make use of the following prompts:

a) The main idea of the text is …

The text runs (is) about …

b) At first the author describes (defines, analyzes, determines, considers, regards, states that, etc)…

c) Then the author passes on (to) (turns to) the description (analysis, definition, determination, consideration, etc) of ….

It is pointed out (indicated, showed, admitted, etc) that …

d) At the end of the text the author draws the following conclusion …

The author concludes by stating (pointing out, stressing, underlining, emphasizing, etc) that …

e) In my opinion (to my mind, I think (suppose, believe, etc that) …

Notes: If necessary use the following transition words that serve as a bridge connecting sentences or paragraphs with one another:

- also, furthermore, in addition;

- first, next, finally, later, afterwards;

- but, still, although, though, yet, however, nevertheless;

- for example, in other words;

- in brief, in short.

Date: 2015-01-12; view: 1884