Finding Primary Sources for Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on locating primary sources in physics, chemistry, and calculus that detail the derivation of equations and the underlying concepts. The user seeks original accounts written by the discoverers of theories, emphasizing classical physics topics such as mechanics, electromagnetism, vibrations, waves, and calculus, including vector analysis. The goal is to understand the thought processes and historical context behind scientific discoveries. Recommendations for specific primary sources were requested to enhance comprehension of these subjects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical physics concepts, including mechanics and electromagnetism.
  • Familiarity with calculus, particularly single and multivariable calculus.
  • Knowledge of vector analysis techniques.
  • Basic principles of general chemistry.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research primary sources in classical mechanics, such as Newton's "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica."
  • Explore original papers on electromagnetism, particularly those by James Clerk Maxwell.
  • Investigate primary texts in calculus, including works by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Isaac Newton.
  • Look into historical accounts of chemistry, focusing on Antoine Lavoisier's contributions.
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in the fields of physics, chemistry, and mathematics, as well as researchers seeking a deeper understanding of the historical development of scientific theories and concepts.

Forrest T
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hey everyone!


i have flipped through quite a few textbooks on physics, chemistry and calculus, searching for one that presents motivates its derivations of equations and discussions of the concepts involved.

primary sources (or those accounts of a theory written by its discoverer) which include descriptions of the problem at hand and its importance, the thought process involved in its solution, and an explanation of the result based on first principles should contain everything i want to know.

i would like to know where to find these primary sources. please include anything else that you think i would find helpful. if you need to know specifically what types of primary sources i am looking for, they should cover: classical physics (mechanics, electromagnetism, vibrations and waves), calculus of one and several variables, vector analysis, and general chemistry. basically, i want to see how people developed science, why things work out the way they do, and how these things were discovered. i hope this is not too vague, and would be happy to clarify.


thanks for your help!

forrest
 
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