Newton's Principia for the Common ReaderRepresenting a decade's work from one of the world's most distinguished physicists, this major publication is, as far as is known, the first comprehensive analysis of Newton's Principia without recourse to secondary sources. Chandrasekhar analyses some 150 propositions which form a direct chain leading to Newton's formulation of his universal law of gravitation. In each case, Newton's proofs are arranged in a linear sequence of equations and arguments, avoiding the need to unravel the necessarily convoluted style of Newton's connected prose. In almost every case, a modern version of the proofs is given to bring into sharp focus the beauty, clarity, and breathtaking economy of Newton's methods. This book will stimulate great interest and debate among the scientific community, illuminating the brilliance of Newton's work under the steady gaze of Chandrasekhar's rare perception. |
What people are saying - Write a review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - antao - LibraryThingAs a math and physics graduate back in the day, I applaud some of the Physics Professors choices when it comes to choosing the best books in Physics, and I also decry a lot of the works on that ... Read full review
Contents
The motion of bodies along conic sections | 6 |
Definitions and Axioms | 17 |
On the notion of limits and the ratios of evanescent quantities | 43 |
Copyright | |
27 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
acceleration acting action angle attraction axis becomes body Book centre centripetal force Chapter circle circular comet common concludes considered constant construction context continually Corollary curve definition demonstration denotes derived descent described determine direction distance draw drawn Earth effect ellipse equal equation expression figure fixed focus follows formula further given gives gravity greater Hence integral inversely Lemma length less manner mass matter mean Moon motion move Newton noted observations obtain orbit parabola parallel particles period plane position present Principia principle problem proof Prop proportional Proposition quantity radius ratio relation remaining resistance respectively rest result revolving right line Scholium similar solution space sphere square supposed surface tangent Theorem third variation vector velocity weight whole write
Bibliographic information
| Title | Newton's Principia for the Common Reader |
| Authors | Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, S Chandrasekhar, Ph. |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Clarendon Press, 1995 |
| Original from | the University of Michigan |
| Digitized | Feb 5, 2010 |
| ISBN | 0198517440, 9780198517443 |
| Length | 593 pages |
| Subjects | › › Science / Physics / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |