The Problem of the Motion of Bodies

A Historical View of the Development of Classical Mechanics
2014
ISBN: 978-3-319-04839-0
Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buch, Englisch, Band 25, 554 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 1010 g

Reihe: History of Mechanism and Machine Science

This book focuses on the way in which the problem of the motion of bodies has been viewed and approached over the course of human history. It is not another traditional history of mechanics but rather aims to enable the reader to fully understand the deeper ideas that inspired men, first in attempting to understand the mechanisms of motion and then in formulating theories with predictive as well as explanatory value. Given this objective, certain parts of the history of mechanics are neglected, such as fluid mechanics, statics and astronomy after Newton. On the other hand, due attention is paid, for example, to the history of thermodynamics, which has its own particular point of view on motion. Inspired in part by historical epistemology, the book examines the various views and theories of a given historical period (synchronic analysis) and then makes comparisons between different periods (diachronic analysis). In each period, one or two of the most meaningful contributions are selected for particular attention, instead of presenting a long inventory of scientific achievements.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Capecchi, Danilo

Fachgebiete

• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Geschichte der Physik
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Wissenschafts- und Universitätsgeschichte
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Mechanik Klassische Mechanik, Newtonsche Mechanik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

The Science of Motion sive Mechanics.- Greek Period and Middle Ages.- Humanism and Renaissance.- Early Modern Studies on Motion.- The Golden Age.- The Motion of Solid Bodies.- Inanimate Bodies Start Moving by Themselves.

Über Autor(innen)

Danilo Capecchi is Professor of Mechanics of Solids and History of Science at the University of Rome La Sapienza. His research into the history of science focuses mainly on classical mechanics.