Issac Newton

Newton's discoveries of Calculus & the Spectrum of Light

Isaac Newton, one of the most influential scientists in history, made many groundbreaking discoveries that revolutionized our understanding of the universe. During the time when the black plague hit London in 1665 and 1666, Newton was forced to leave his studies at Cambridge University and retreated to his family estate in the countryside. It was during this time of isolation that he made two of his most significant discoveries: calculus and the spectrum of light.

Newton had been struggling with the mathematical problem of finding tangent lines to curves, which led him to develop calculus. His new method of finding slopes and areas paved the way for modern calculus and allowed for greater accuracy in mathematical calculations. Calculus has since become a fundamental tool in science and engineering, and it has led to many discoveries in physics and other fields.

Another discovery that Newton made during his time in isolation was the nature of light. He observed that when light passed through a prism, it was refracted and separated into its constituent colors, creating a spectrum. This led him to conclude that white light is made up of a range of colors. He also discovered that the colors in the spectrum are always arranged in the same order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. This phenomenon is now known as Newton's law of color.

The World According to Newton

Newton's discoveries have had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe, and they continue to influence our lives today. His work on calculus has led to many advances in mathematics and engineering, and his discoveries about the nature of light have been instrumental in the development of modern optics. Newton's insights into the universe have shaped our view of the cosmos and have inspired generations of scientists to explore the mysteries of the universe.

Isaac Newton's time in isolation during the black plague of 1665 and 1666 allowed him to make some of the most significant discoveries in the history of science. His work on calculus and the spectrum of light revolutionized our understanding of mathematics and optics and paved the way for many discoveries in physics and other fields. Newton's insights into the universe continue to inspire scientists today, and his legacy will be remembered for centuries to come.

Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica 1687

Newton's work on light and color also led him to discover that lenses can refract light and create images. He used this knowledge to build the first reflecting telescope, which greatly improved our ability to observe the night sky. This telescope allowed astronomers to see further and more clearly than ever before, and it was a significant breakthrough in the study of astronomy.

Newton's discoveries during his time in isolation were not only significant for science but also for the world at large. The 1660s were a time of great upheaval, and many people believed that the world was coming to an end. The black plague had ravaged London, and the Great Fire of London had destroyed much of the city. People were also superstitious and believed that the year 1666 was the year of the devil. Newton's discoveries and publication of Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica in 1687 gave people hope and helped to restore their faith in the power of human intellect and reason.Â