Newton's Discovery of f ∝ Δp/Δt

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In summary, Newton's discovery of f ∝ Δp/Δt, also known as Newton's Second Law of Motion, states that the force applied to an object is directly proportional to the rate of change of its momentum. This discovery was derived from his three laws of motion and his theory of gravity, and is significant because it provides a mathematical relationship between force and acceleration, allowing us to accurately predict the motion of objects. It has practical applications in various fields and is a fundamental principle in classical physics, although it has limitations when applied to objects moving at high speeds or on a very small scale.
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saidatta123
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How did Newton come up with
f ∝ Δp/Δt ??
 
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  • #2
Galileo's equation for uniform acellerated motion

v=at so multiply both sides by mass m

mv=mat

so
mv=ma(t) and call ma force F

mv=Ft
so
Ft=mv

Divided both sides by t

F=(mv)/t

Didn't Torricelli (Galileo's student) do this before Newton?

Also
F=(mv)/t
so
F=m(v/t) and call v/t acelleration a

F=ma
 
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  • #3
See this
 

1. What is Newton's discovery of f ∝ Δp/Δt?

Newton's discovery of f ∝ Δp/Δt, also known as Newton's Second Law of Motion, states that the force applied to an object is directly proportional to the rate of change of its momentum. In other words, the greater the force applied, the faster the object's momentum will change.

2. How did Newton come up with this discovery?

Newton's Second Law of Motion was derived from his three laws of motion and his theory of gravity. He observed that when an object is acted upon by a force, it will accelerate in the direction of the force. By measuring the rate of change of an object's momentum, he was able to determine the relationship between force and acceleration.

3. What is the significance of this discovery?

Newton's discovery of f ∝ Δp/Δt is significant because it provides a mathematical relationship between force and acceleration, allowing us to accurately predict the motion of objects. This law is essential in understanding and explaining the behavior of moving objects in the natural world.

4. Can this discovery be applied in real life?

Yes, Newton's Second Law of Motion is widely used in various fields, such as engineering, physics, and sports. It is the basis for many practical applications, including the design of vehicles, structures, and machines, as well as in sports training and performance analysis.

5. Are there any limitations to this discovery?

While Newton's Second Law of Motion is a fundamental principle in classical physics, it has some limitations. It does not apply to objects moving at speeds close to the speed of light or to very small objects, such as atoms, which require the principles of quantum mechanics to describe their motion.

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