Sir Isaac Newton was a polymath who laid the foundations for classical physics and calculus. Newton was one of the most widely influential figures in the scientific revolution.

Today physics consists of classical physics and quantum physics, meaning Newton’s physics including his laws of motion are still used today when considering inertial reference frames (physics from a frame of standing still on earth). Although he adopted many of the ideas of earlier greats (“standing on the shoulder’s of giants”), Newton’s work stands apart by being uniquely advanced and useable from a modern perspective.


Factoids tagged with "Isaac Newton"

Nature Abhors a Vacuum Fact

Aristotle once postulated “horror vacui” (Nature Abhors a Vacuum). It turns out nature really can’t stand a perfect vacuum.

Sir Isaac Newton Was an Economist Fact

Sir Isaac Newton is best known for his laws of motion and gravity, but he was also an economist of sorts serving as Britain’s Warden/Master of the Mint (from 1696 until his death in 1727).

Light is Both a Particle and a Wave Fact

Light is a particle (a photon), that acts like a wave (“both a particle and a wave”), which can be measured as an excited quantized state of the electromagnetic field.

Blog Posts tagged with "Isaac Newton"

How Isaac Newton Actually Lost His Money in the South Sea Bubble

Isaac Newton didn’t just buy the top in the South Sea bubble. He bought early, sold for a modest profit, then bought back in near the top after seeing others get rich, only to sell near the bottom for a loss of £20,000 (roughly £1.2 mil in 2021 adjusted for inflation).

The Paradox Principle

In practice, human action often has paradoxical or unintended effects. Sometimes effects or side effects even have the exact opposite effect as intended.

What is Light?

We explain “light,” both as electromagnetic radiation within a visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and as electromagnetic energy carried by photons.

The Secret Life of Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton produced many well-known works in math, astronomy, and physics, but he produced about as many unpublished works which dealt with theology, alchemy, and the occult.

Reference Frames Examples (Physics)

Reference frames and relativity in physics explained using math-free examples. We cover: frames of reference, inertial frames, accelerated frames, and relativity.