What do you think the differences between these scientists were?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences in ideas and contributions to physics among notable scientists: Copernicus, Einstein, Galileo, Newton, and Aristotle. The scope includes historical perspectives and conceptual contributions, but the breadth of the topic raises challenges for focused discussion.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the question is too broad to address effectively in a forum setting.
  • One participant humorously notes that the scientists differ in trivial aspects, such as being left-handed or being born on different days.
  • Another participant argues that the differences are too significant to summarize easily, particularly between figures like Galileo and Newton.
  • One contribution highlights Aristotle's early formulation of a "law" of mechanics, suggesting that his ideas were based on observations and lacked mathematical formalism, contrasting with later scientific approaches.
  • A participant appreciates a more structured approach to discussing the basic differences in principles used by scientists across different eras.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the topic is too broad and complex for a straightforward answer, with multiple competing views on how to approach the discussion. There is no consensus on how to effectively compare the scientists.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects limitations in addressing such a wide-ranging question, with participants noting the challenge of summarizing diverse contributions and ideas without oversimplifying or misrepresenting the historical context.

hankeyb
Copernicus, Einsetin, Galileo, Newton, and Aristotle? How did the differ in their ideas and contributions to physics?
 
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hankeyb said:
Copernicus, Einsetin, Galileo, Newton, and Aristotle? How did the differ in their ideas and contributions to physics?

Is this a homework question?
 
This is far too broad a topic to address in a forum thread.
 
Is the answer - One of them was left-handed.
 
They were all born on different days?
 
They're just too different to mention their differences!
If it were only Galileo and Newton, there could be an answer.
 
yes indeed, the answers can vary because of the divergence in the question.
I am not sure about everyone, but:
1) Aristotle was the 1st to propose a "law" of mechanics, which was equivalent to what people used to see and understand in those days. That you act a force and the object moves, so the idea was something like [itex]F=a v[/itex] with a a proportional constant and v the velocity.
The interesting part in that law is that it holds for motion in very thick liquids (for example the motion of a body in honey).
The thing with ancient "scientists" or better philosophers is that they didn't really use mathematics in the way they were later come in use. For example there was no differential equation formalism, and most of their ideas were based either on their philosophies or on their observations/phenomenolgy (I push the door,it opens- I push it stronger it opens faster)
 
I like ChrisVer's approach to answering the OP's question. Maybe we can state the basic differences between general principles used by scientists in different eras.
 
This is far too broad. Locked.
 

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