Are Newtonian physics universal?

In summary, Newtonian physics refers to the laws of motion and gravity developed by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century. It is still relevant today in many areas of science and engineering, but does have limitations in explaining extreme conditions. It is universal, meaning it applies to all objects regardless of size or location in the universe, and serves as the foundation for classical mechanics and has applications in other fields such as astronomy and engineering. However, it must be combined with other theories to fully explain the behavior of the universe.
  • #1
Hunter1234
11
1
I am wondering if things can be objective but not universal.
 
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  • #2
What do you mean by "things"?
Is a coffee mug objective? How about universal?
 
  • #3
As far as we know and can tell (through astrophysics) Newtonian physics work well enough within certain bounds. We know Newtonian physics doesn't work well at all for objects traveling close to the speed of light. We know also that even at reduced velocities there are relativity effects on "Newtonian" interactions, they are just too small in magnitude to make a practical difference.
 

1. What is Newtonian physics?

Newtonian physics refers to the laws of motion and gravity developed by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century. These laws describe the behavior of objects in motion and the forces acting upon them.

2. Is Newtonian physics still relevant today?

Yes, Newtonian physics is still relevant in many areas of science and engineering, particularly in situations where speeds are much slower than the speed of light and gravitational forces are not extreme. It is the basis for classical mechanics and is used in fields such as mechanics, engineering, and astronomy.

3. What does it mean for Newtonian physics to be universal?

Universal in this context means that the laws of Newtonian physics apply to all objects, regardless of their size, shape, or location in the universe. This includes both microscopic and macroscopic objects, as well as objects on Earth and in space.

4. Are there any limitations to Newtonian physics?

Yes, there are limitations to Newtonian physics. It does not fully explain the behavior of objects at very high speeds, near the speed of light, or in extreme gravitational fields. This is where the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics come into play.

5. How does Newtonian physics relate to other branches of science?

Newtownian physics is the foundation of classical mechanics, which is a branch of physics that studies the motion of objects. It also has applications in other fields such as astronomy, engineering, and even biology. However, it is not the only branch of physics and must be combined with other theories to fully explain the behavior of the universe.

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