Newton And Modern Physics

by Peter Rowlands

Overview

This book looks at how Newton's theories can be linked to modern day problems and solutions in physics. Newton created an abstract system of theorizing which has been applied to all aspects of the physical world, however he had difficulties in persuading his contemporaries of its unique merits. A detailed study of Newton's writings, published and unpublished, suggests that he had an almost archetypally powerful mode of thinking guaranteed to produce 'correct' results even in areas of physics where systematic study only began long after his time. Newton and Modern Physics investigates this phenomenon, looking at examples of where Newton's principles have relevance to modern day thinking — the study of Newton's work in both seventeenth century and present-day contexts helps to enhance our understanding of both.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786343291
Publisher:	World Scientific Publishing Europe Ltd
Publication date:	09/26/2017
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.90(d)

Table of Contents

Preface v

About the Author ix

Chapter 1 Aspects of the Newtonian Methodology 1

1.1 The Modern Connection 1

1.2 Newton's Special Significance 4

1.3 The Power of Recursion 13

1.4 The Newtonian Methodology 21

Chapter 2 Newton the Man 27

2.1 The Early Career 27

2.2 The Later Career 39

2.3 Newton's Character 49

Chapter 3 Waves 59

3.1 The Theory of Wave Motion 59

3.2 Interference and Diffraction 70

3.3 Periodicity and Newton's Rings 76

3.4 Wave Theory and Light 84

3.5 Wave Theory and the Aether 89

3.6 Double Refraction 91

3.7 Interference and Diffraction and Light 95

Chapter 4 The Velocity of Light 101

4.1 The Velocity of Light 101

4.2 The Velocity of Light and Refraction 105

4.3 The Velocity of Light and Dispersion 110

4.4 The Inversion of Velocities 116

4.5 Relativistic Mass and Refraction 121

4.6 Phase Velocity and the Superluminal 125

Chapter 5 Mass-Energy 133

5.1 E = mc² and Classical Potential Energy 133

5.2 Newtonian Insights 136

5.3 The Gravitational Deflection of Light 141

5.4 Calculation of the Refraction Force 148

5.5 The Mass of a Light Corpuscle 151

5.6 The Inter convertibility of Light and Matter 156

5.7 The Newtonian Aspect of E = mc² 160

Chapter 6 Quantum Theory 163

6.1 Periodicity as a Quantum Phenomenon 163

6.2 Polarisation and Diffraction 167

6.3 Aethereal Effects and Quantum Phenomena 172

6.4 Planck's Constant 177

6.5 Quantum Gravity 180

6.6 Quantum Mechanics and Newtonian Physics 184

Chapter 7 The Electric Force 191

7.1 The Electric Force and Aethereal Currents 191

7.2 A Unified View of the Electric Force 194

7.3 Magnetism and Other Effects 203

7.4 Chemistry and the Life Force 208

7.5 The Laws of Electric and Magnetic Attraction 216

Chapter 8 Wave-particle Duality and the Unified Field 229

8.1 Conservation and Colour 229

8.2 Particles with Periodicity 239

8.3 A Dualistic Theory 243

8.4 The Early Unified Theory 247

8.5 Gravity and the Aether 252

8.6 A New Unification 257

8.7 Conclusion 265

Bibliography 269

Index 285