“It is indeed a matter of great difficulty to discover, and effectually to distinguish, the true motions of particular bodies from the apparent because the parts of that immovable space, in which those motions are performed, do by no means come under the observation of our senses.”
- January 4, 1643 – March 31, 1727
- Born in England (UK)
- Natural philosopher, mathematician, physicist, astronomer, theologian
- Proposed the laws of universal gravitation and motion, built the foundations of modern science, and systematized theories of natural philosophy and mathematics.
Quote
“It is indeed a matter of great difficulty to discover, and effectually to distinguish, the true motions of particular bodies from the apparent because the parts of that immovable space, in which those motions are performed, do by no means come under the observation of our senses.”
Explanation
This quote by Isaac Newton highlights the challenge of understanding the true nature of motion. Newton was grappling with the difficulty of differentiating between apparent motion—what we observe—and the true motion of objects, which could only be inferred mathematically. He points out that the concept of immovable space is crucial, but that space itself is not something we can directly observe with our senses. Instead, we must rely on indirect evidence, such as the behavior of celestial bodies and their predictable patterns.
During Newton’s time in the 17th century, the scientific revolution was in full swing, and understanding motion was key to the progress of physics and astronomy. Newton’s work laid the foundation for classical mechanics and laws of motion, which described the movement of objects both on Earth and in the heavens. However, unlike modern instruments such as telescopes or particle detectors, Newton and his contemporaries had no direct access to many of the cosmic phenomena that now inform our scientific models.
Today, we continue to face challenges in distinguishing between true and apparent motion, especially in fields like astronomy and quantum mechanics. For instance, astronomers can observe the apparent motion of stars and planets, but it takes complex mathematical models to understand their true orbits and velocities. Similarly, in quantum physics, phenomena like wave-particle duality challenge our perception of motion and reality, requiring sophisticated tools and theories to interpret. Newton’s insight remains relevant in modern physics, reminding us that observation alone does not always reveal the full picture.
