How do famous physicists create their formulas?

1. Sep 12, 2013

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?

2. Sep 12, 2013

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.

3. Sep 12, 2013

mikeph

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

4. Sep 12, 2013

CWatters

Last edited by a moderator: Sep 25, 2014
5. Sep 13, 2013

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).

6. Sep 13, 2013

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.

7. Sep 15, 2013

timespeed

thank you cwatters