08 February 2024

Unravelling Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: A Tribute to Sir Isaac Newton, the Father of Modern Physics

By Soumendra Nath Thakur

By the time of Max Planck's work in 1899, Newton's law of universal gravitation was considered accurate, not merely a convenient approximation for small velocities and masses. Its approximate nature was revealed with the emergence of general relativity in 1915, underscoring the significance of the universal law of gravitation and its foundation by Sir Isaac Newton, the father of modern physics. Indeed, Newton's groundbreaking work laid the foundation for our understanding of gravity and its effects on small velocities and masses. The advent of general relativity in 1915 brought about a transformative change in our understanding of gravity, exposing the limitations of Newton's laws in certain contexts. It is important to acknowledge Newton's contributions and the accuracy of his laws within their applicable domains, as well as the advances heralded by later theories such as general relativity. By respecting the historical context and honouring Newton's contributions, we can appreciate the evolution of scientific knowledge without bias or undue emphasis on others.

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