How do famous physicists create their formulas?

[timespeed]

So how does one create a formula. I've seen that it starts with proportionalities and constants, but how does one connect a constant to a proportionality? Can you provide a step by step example?

 

[Khashishi]

I think you need to be a little more specific. Like, how did Newton come up with the formula $F=ma$? Still, I don't see what you are trying to get at here.

 

[mikeph]

It starts with observation and insight, not proportionality and constants.

 

[CWatters]

 

[ZeroPivot]

they look into a cristalball and then they smoke ganja and pray to Manon. And then the formula just shows up in their dream in bright hot magenta (new times roman font).

 

[Claude Bile]

Famous or no, either one fits a formula to experimental observations (called empyrical formulae), or they are derived from more fundamental facts/assertions, where they are then subsequently tested against observation.

Claude.

 

[timespeed]

thank you cwatters