Who Are the Founding Fathers of Physics?

Physics is one of the major branches of science and technology that deals with the mysteries of the world and space. Many scientists and organizations are continuing to invest in Physics to discover more about the functioning of the universe we know. However, have you ever wondered who is the father of Physics or who laid the inception of Physics?

Well, the answer is a bit complex. Sir Isaac Newton is known as one of the fathers of Physics while Albert Einstein and Galileo Galilei are the fathers of Modern Physics. Sir Isaac Newton established the three Laws of Motion and thus, earned the title of the Father of Physics. Galileo made great contributions to the field of astronomy and came to be known as the Father of Observational Astronomy.

Albert Einstein earned the title of the Father of Modern Physics for his pathbreaking work to establish the Theory of Relativity.  And if you wish to know more about these Founding Fathers of Physics, continue reading this blog. 

About Sir Isaac Newton 

Sir Isaac Newton was born on 4th January 1643 in the United Kingdom. He was undoubtedly one of the greatest scientists and mathematicians of all time.

• He is well-known for his contributions to the fields of physics, mathematics and chemistry. 
• Even in his school days, he was known for his mechanical abilities and skills to develop models of machines like clocks, windmills etc. In 1661, during June, he was ready to matriculate from the Trinity College of Cambridge.
• During the time of his higher education, Newton was highly immersive in the work of Aristotle. Newton was inclined to mechanical systems and mastered the work of Descartes. 

A set of notes entitled “Quaestiones Quaedam Philosophicae” (“Certain Philosophical Questions”) surfaced in 1664 and was intended for traditional scholastic exercises. According to it, Newton discovered a new conception of nature that provided the framework of the scientific revolution.

Also Read: Career in Chemistry 

Discoveries of Newton 

The following are the popular discoveries made by Newton:

• Universal Law of Gravitation 
• Three Laws of Motion
• Optics- Splitting of White Light
• The invention of the Refective Telescope (Newtonian Telescope)
• The Basics of Calculus

About Galileo Galilei

Galileo di Vincenzo Bonaiuti de’ Galilei or more commonly known as Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer.

• He was born on 15 February 1564 in the city of Pisa, Italy.
• He was also referred to as a polymath whose areas of study include velocity, gravity, free-fall, the concepts of relativity, inertia and projectile motion.

Galileo also contributed to the field of applied science and technology. He made a breakthrough in the field of observational astronomy by telescopically confirming the phases of Venus, the four largest satellites of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn and the study of sunspots. He was one of the first scientists to discover the ‘ frequency of sound’ and is known for his invention of the telescope.

Galileo started exploring the laws of nature, including how things move and the force of gravity, while also contributing to various written works, talks, and essays. He was chosen as a professor at college, despite his disagreements with Aristotle.
While he was imprisoned at home by the Church’s investigation for advocating the Copernican Heliocentric theory that the Earth revolves around the Sun, he continued his research in practical physics, the study of motion (or mechanical engineering), and material engineering. The Father of Science passed away while confined at home on January 8th, 1642.

Discoveries of Galileo

The following are the popular discoveries of Galileo:

• The invention of the Refractive Telescope and Enhancing its Power
• Craters and Mountains on the Surface of the Moon
• The Stars of The Milky Way
• Designed Major Components for the First Pendulum Clock 
• Proposed the Idea of Evolution 

Impact of The Father of Science

Galileo is also known as the “father of modern physics” and the “father of modern astronomy”. His contributions to modern science led to the development of explanations of scientific methods and systematic implementation. The impact of his contributions are –

• In October 1989, NASA sent into space Galileo, marking the initial unmanned research satellite mission to circle Jupiter. This mission involved deploying probes into the gas giant’s atmosphere and successfully navigating a visit to an asteroid.
• The European Union and its space agency collaborated to create a 30-satellite Global Positioning System named Galileo Positioning System, which started functioning in 2016.

Also Read: Educational Technology

About Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was a German physicist born on 14 March 1879. He was brilliant in mathematics and physics from a young age.

• He had taught himself algebra and Euclidean geometry over a single summer.
• At the age of 12, he came up with his original proof of the Pythagorean theorem.
• He is regarded as one of the most influential physicists of all time for his contributions to the field of Moder Physics and for providing the framework for concepts like Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.

His work is known to influence the Philosophy of Science. He even received a Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921 for his pathbreaking contributions to the field of theoretical physics and for discovering the law of the ‘photoelectric effect’. 

Also Read: What is Quantum Physics?

Discoveries of Einstein

The following are the popular discoveries of Einstein:

• General Theory of Relativity 
• Quantum Theory of Light
• The Photoelectric Effect
• Brownian Movement
• Special Theory of Relativity – Equation E=mc²   (World’s Most Famous Equation)

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