A Brief History of Isaac Newton's Scientific Career

You'll learn about His interest in mathematics, how he shaped science and His position as a sizar. This article also discusses His paper on colors and light. In addition to highlighting His scientific accomplishments, it also gives an insight into His personal life.

His interest in mathematics

In the 17th century, scientists were grappling with a new understanding of nature. The philosophy of the time, based on the geocentric view of the universe and Aristotelian philosophy, was proving to be less effective than the new conception, which Newton adopted.

The 17th century saw several important developments that shaped Newton's scientific career.

Newton's greatest contribution to physics is the Principia Mathematica, a three-volume work published in 1687 at his own expense. In it, he introduced his principle of universal gravitation, which explained how heavenly bodies move, as well as falling objects on the earth. The work also outlined the three laws of motion, and explained many phenomena, including tides and comets.

His influence on the development of science

Isaac Newton was a prominent figure in the English scientific community after he published his Principia (1687).

The publication of Newton's work thrust him into the forefront of natural philosophy and ended his life of relative isolation. However, the impact of Newton's work was not immediate.

After the publication of Principia, he experienced strong opposition from rival scientists including Christiaan Huygens and Gottfried Leibniz.

While Newton's scientific career was largely dominated by his work in mathematics, he also took a keen interest in mysticism and alchemy. For example, he worked on the concoction of the philosopher's stone, a legendary substance that could transform lead into gold and cure any disease.

While Newton may not have had direct scientific involvement in concocting the philosopher's stone, he certainly had a profound influence on the development of science.

His position as a sizar

Isaac Newton began his academic career as a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, on the recommendation of his uncle. He paid for his tuition by serving as a valet, and in 1664 was awarded a scholarship that guaranteed him four more years of study to earn his MA. While at Trinity, Newton studied the works of Aristotle and other ancient philosophers, supplementing them with newer discoveries by Galileo and other astronomers.

Newton's Principia helped establish the laws of motion and universal gravitation. It also eliminated doubts about the heliocentricity of the Solar System. He also discovered the laws of calculus, which helped explain the behavior of objects.

His paper on light and colors

Newton's paper on light and colors was published in 1672. The paper outlined several ideas about light, color, and the properties of matter. While it received a favorable reception, there was also some dissent and questions. However, the paper is still considered one of the most influential papers of all time.

Newton discovered that light can be divided into primary and secondary colors through dispersion. This is what is known as color theory. While studying this phenomenon, he observed that light can be separated into red, green, and blue light.

He also noted that red and blue lights can be combined to create cyan, yellow, and magenta light. Magenta, however, does not appear in the natural spectrum of colors.

Sir Isaac Newton's manuscript on light and colors is an important contribution to science. It is a record of experiments and deductions and covers a variety of topics in physical optics.

However, unlike some other works on the subject, it is not an exact geometric discussion of dioptrics or catoptrics. In addition, Newton examines how light bends when it passes through different mediums.

His time as president

Isaac Newton's scientific career and time as President of the Royal Society were intertwined. He was the master of the Mint, responsible for bringing Britain's currency from silver to gold, and he was a member of Parliament.

After the death of Robert Hooke as the President of the Royal Society, Newton was elected. Newton was sometimes labeled as a tyrant and autocrat. He had an illustrious career but he was also a man of great character.

Newton's time as President of the Royal Society came about in the aftermath of his first discovery, the color spectrum. He shared his findings with the Royal Society at Gresham College, in London. Newton's theory of color and light was presented there, and his fellow scientists tried to replicate it. However, Newton's theory did not go over very well, and his greatest rival was Robert Hooke.