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Single Idea 22915

[from 'Principia Mathematica' by Isaac Newton, in 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / a. Absolute time ]

Full Idea

Both Newton's First and Second Laws of motion make implicit reference to equal intervals of time. For a body is moving with constant velocity if it covers the same distance in a series of equal intervals (and similarly with acceleration).

Gist of Idea

Newton needs intervals of time, to define velocity and acceleration

Source

report of Isaac Newton (Principia Mathematica [1687]) by Robin Le Poidevin - Travels in Four Dimensions 01 'Time'

Book Reference

Le Poidevin,Robin: 'Travels in Four Dimensions' [OUP 2003], p.8


A Reaction

[Le Poidevin spells out the acceleration point] You can see why he needs time to be real, if measured chunks of it figure in his laws.