Is there any way to prove Newton's law

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the validity and proof of Newton's law of motion, specifically the equation F=ma. Participants argue that while mathematical proof is rigorous, scientific proof relies on valid evidence, such as the stability of structures and the successful prediction of celestial movements. They emphasize that Newton's laws are supported by empirical observations rather than formal proofs. The conversation also touches on different types of logical proofs, including direct proofs, proofs by contradiction, and proofs by induction, highlighting the complexities of establishing scientific truths.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion, specifically F=ma
  • Familiarity with scientific methodology and the concept of evidence
  • Knowledge of logical proof techniques: direct proof, proof by contradiction, proof by induction
  • Basic principles of physics related to force, mass, and acceleration
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the empirical evidence supporting Newton's laws of motion
  • Explore the differences between mathematical proof and scientific proof
  • Study the implications of alternative theories like Milgrom's and Verlinde's approaches to gravity
  • Learn about the practical applications of measuring force using tools like spring scales
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators, and anyone interested in the foundations of scientific proof and the application of Newton's laws in real-world scenarios.

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a Newton's law states that : F=m.a , but I realize that it belongs to our sense , but may be someone know more about this . if you have any explanation or proof , let me know :)
 
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vi vu said:
a Newton's law states that : F=m.a , but I realize that it belongs to our sense , but may be someone know more about this . if you have any explanation or proof , let me know :)

Forget about Newton's laws. Think about how you "prove" anything in science!

There is no such thing as "proof" as rigorous as that in mathematics, i.e. a logical proof. There are such a thing as "valid" evidence! The fact that your house still stands is an evidence for the validity of Newton's laws. The fact that we can actually map and predict the location of celestical bodies (i.e. we shoot a space capsule here on earth, and months and years later, actually reach a planet that wasn't at that location months and years earlier) is another evidence for the validity of Newton's laws.

Zz.
 
Ofcourse you can. Just say that gravity is entropic.
 
ZapperZ said:
Forget about Newton's laws. Think about how you "prove" anything in science!

There is no such thing as "proof" as rigorous as that in mathematics, i.e. a logical proof. There are such a thing as "valid" evidence! The fact that your house still stands is an evidence for the validity of Newton's laws. The fact that we can actually map and predict the location of celestical bodies (i.e. we shoot a space capsule here on earth, and months and years later, actually reach a planet that wasn't at that location months and years earlier) is another evidence for the validity of Newton's laws.

Zz.

What this guy said.

In logic,
there are direct proofs (if a goes to b and b goes to c then a goes to c),
proofs by contradiction (you assume the opposite of what you want to prove, then work to find the contradiction in that),
and proofs by induction (Tricky to explain in a single line. look this one up.)
You can look those up.

The types of proof that are not valid that are constantly used are:

Proof by superiority = "The King said the sun is blue.. so the sun is blue." The story of "the emporer has no clothes" is a story that attempts to explain to children that this is not proof.

Proof by Precident.
"We have been doing this for 25 years this way... "
It could have been wrong for 25 years... or incomplete, but if that is all you knew, then that's all you knew.
 
Tell me if I’m wrong. The formula f=ma is a definition of force. You can’t prove a definition. You can ask, is it meaningful? I think it is not. Can you measure force? Well, if you can measure mass and if you can measure the acceleration then you can measure the force. Otherwise I don’t think you can. So I don’t understand Milgrom and I don’t understand Verlinde. What are they doing?
 
H.B. said:
Can you measure force? Well, if you can measure mass and if you can measure the acceleration then you can measure the force. Otherwise I don’t think you can.

Ever seen a spring scale?
 

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