BY JAMES BALDWIN
Sir Isaac Newton and the Apple
Famous Stories Retold: Story 7 of 30
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Universal Gravitation: Newton proposed that every object attracts every other object with a force that depends on their masses and the distance between them.
Gravitation’s Role: He realized that this force of gravitation keeps the planets in their orbits around the sun.
A good book we like, we explorers. That is our best amusement, and our best time killer
- Roald Amundsen, Explorer
Newton's Apple: A Gravity Tale That Changed Science
Immerse yourself in the captivating tale of Sir Isaac Newton's apple-inspired revelation, a pivotal moment that forever changed our comprehension of the cosmos. The falling apple sparked a question, leading Newton down a path of relentless inquiry and observation. This exploration subsequently birthed the law of gravitation, a fundamental cornerstone in the realm of physics. As we delve into this intriguing episode, you will discover the profound implications of Newton's discovery and its far-reaching effect on our understanding of the universe. Prepare to be enlightened as we unravel the mysteries of gravity.
Uncovering the Enigma of Gravity
Gravity, a force so deeply woven into the fabric of our existence, often goes unnoticed in our daily lives. Yet, it is a concept that puzzled the great mind of Sir Isaac Newton, leading to groundbreaking discoveries. Newton pondered upon the unseen force that kept us grounded and the planets orbiting the sun. His profound curiosity and relentless pursuit for answers laid the foundation for our understanding of gravity.
The Fateful Day Under the Apple Tree
The story of Newton's discovery of gravity under an apple tree is one of the most famous anecdotes in the history of science. On a day in autumn, while lying on the grass under an apple tree, Newton observed an apple falling. Instead of dismissing the event as a natural occurrence, his inquisitive mind sought to understand why the apple fell straight down and not in any other direction. This seemingly simple observation was the spark that ignited Newton's quest to unravel the mystery of gravity.
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Newton's Queries: Why Do Objects Fall?
"Why do objects fall?" This question led Newton down a path of inquiry that would revolutionize our understanding of the physical world. He wasn't satisfied with the simplistic explanation that objects fall because they are heavy. Newton delved deeper, questioning why one object is heavier than another and why all objects seem to fall towards the Earth. His relentless questioning was the catalyst for a new scientific era, one that understood gravity as a universal force pulling objects towards each other.
The Birth of the Gravitational Theory
We all know how an apple falls from a tree, but for Sir Isaac Newton, this simple occurrence was a gateway to a revolutionary theory. While most would dismiss the apple's fall as a mere consequence of its ripeness, Newton saw a universal phenomenon at play. The apple that fell beside Newton triggered a series of questions in his brilliant mind that led to the birth of the gravitational theory.
Newton posited that every object in the universe attracts every other object, resulting in a force that we now call gravity. He reasoned that the force an object exerts depends on its mass and the distance between it and the other object. The Earth, being significantly larger and heavier than the apple, exerts a force that pulls the apple towards it.
This was a groundbreaking theory that changed our understanding of the natural world. The gravitational theory not only explained why things fall towards the Earth but also provided a plausible explanation for the motion of planets and stars in the universe.
The Implications of the Gravitational Force
The implications of Newton's gravitational theory are far-reaching. When Newton unveiled his theory, it revolutionized scientific thought and laid the groundwork for many future scientific discoveries and technological advancements.
Gravity is responsible for the very existence of the Earth and other planets. It is the force that binds everything in the universe, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies. Without gravity, there would be no life as we know it.
Furthermore, gravity plays a critical role in our daily lives. It gives weight to physical objects and causes the ocean tides. The understanding of gravity has also enabled us to explore space, land on the moon, and send satellites into orbit.
Envisioning a World Without Gravity
Imagine a world without gravity. Without this anchor, everything as we know it would be drastically different. An apple would not fall to the ground; instead, it would float aimlessly. There would be no stable ground to stand on, for the Earth itself would disintegrate, its pieces flying off into space.
Without gravity, there would be no atmosphere, and hence, no life on Earth. Planets would not orbit the sun, stars would not form, and the universe as we perceive it would not exist.
While such a world seems disorienting and chaotic, it highlights the importance of gravity in organizing and sustaining the universe. The simple act of an apple falling to the ground is a testament to this fundamental force.
Thus, when we ponder upon Newton's apple, we are reminded of the invisible forces that hold our world together. And in Newton's words, we realize that we have merely been playing on the seashore, while the great ocean of truth about gravity and the universe still lies before us, unknown and unexplored.
Conclusion
The apple's descent sparked Newton's curiosity, leading to the birth of the gravitational theory. This monumental discovery forever reshaped our understanding of the universe. The gravitational force, a mysterious yet integral component of our reality, keeps our universe orderly. Without it, chaos would ensue. Sir Isaac Newton's inquisitive mind serves as an inspiration, prompting us to continually question our surroundings and seek answers. His legacy is a testament to the power of curiosity and the endless pursuit of knowledge. His apple-inspired revelation remains a pivotal moment in the annals of scientific history.
Sir Isaac Newton was a great thinker. No other man of his time knew so much about the laws of nature; no other man understood the reasons of things so well as he. He learned by looking closely at things and by hard study. He was always thinking, thinking.
Although he was one of the wisest men that ever lived, yet he felt that he knew but very little. The more he learned, the better he saw how much there was still to be learned.
When he was a very old man he one day said: "I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore. I have amused myself by now and then finding a smooth pebble or a pretty shell, but the great ocean of truth still lies before me unknown and unexplored."
It is only the very ignorant who think themselves very wise.
One day in autumn Sir Isaac was lying on the grass under an apple tree and thinking, thinking, thinking. Suddenly an apple that had grown ripe on its branch fell to the ground by his side.
"What made that apple fall?" he asked himself.
"It fell because its stem would no longer hold it to its branch," was his first thought.
But Sir Isaac was not satisfied with this answer. "Why did it fall toward the ground? Why should it not fall some other way just as well?" he asked.
"All heavy things fall to the ground—but why do they? Because they are heavy. That is not a good reason. For then we may ask why is anything heavy? Why is one thing heavier than another?"
When he had once begun to think about this he did not stop until he had reasoned it all out.
Millions and millions of people had seen apples fall, but it was left for Sir Isaac Newton to ask why they fall. He explained it in this way:—
"Every object draws every other object toward it.
"The more matter an object contains the harder it draws.
"The nearer an object is to another the harder it draws.
"The harder an object draws other objects, the heavier it is said to be.
"The earth is many millions of times heavier than an apple; so it draws the apple toward it millions and millions of times harder than the apple can draw the other way.
"The earth is millions of times heavier than any object near to or upon its surface; so it draws every such object toward it.
"This is why things fall, as we say, toward the earth.
"While we know that every object draws every other object, we cannot know why it does so. We can only give a name to the force that causes this.
"We call that force GRAVITATION.
"It is gravitation that causes the apple to fall.
"It is gravitation that makes things have weight.
"It is gravitation that keeps all things in their proper places."
Suppose there was no such force as gravitation, would an apple fall to the ground? Suppose that gravitation did not draw objects toward the earth, what would happen?
To you who, like Sir Isaac Newton, are always asking "Why?" and "How?" these questions will give something to think about.
