The motion of bodies
Date
10 December 1684
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p219
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 367mm
width (page): 232mm
width (page): 232mm
Subject
Description
Diagram in a copy of one of Newton's earliest drafts (now presumed lost) 'on motion' (1684), which became Book 1 of Principia mathematica philosophiae naturalis (1687).
This diagram is for theorem 1: All orbiting bodies describe, by radii to their centre, areas proportional to the times. It corresponds to the diagram in Principia, section 2, proposition 1, theorem 1 (the areas which revolving bodies describe by radii drawn to an immovable centre of force do lie in the same immovable planes, and are proportional to the times in which they are described).
This diagram is for theorem 1: All orbiting bodies describe, by radii to their centre, areas proportional to the times. It corresponds to the diagram in Principia, section 2, proposition 1, theorem 1 (the areas which revolving bodies describe by radii drawn to an immovable centre of force do lie in the same immovable planes, and are proportional to the times in which they are described).
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 10 December 1684, 'Mr. Halley gave an account, that he had lately seen Mr. Newton at Cambridge, who had shewed him a curious treatise, De Motu; which upon Mr. Halley's desire, was, he said, promised to be sent to the Society to be entered upon their register. Mr. Halley was desired to put Mr. Newton in mind of his promise for the securing his invention to himself till such time as he could be at leisure to publish it. Mr. Paget was desired to join with Mr. Halley' (Birch 4:347).
This is a copy of the tract sent via Edward Paget to Halley, which contained Newton's demonstration that an elliptical orbit entails an inverse-square force to one focus. From these insights, Newton went on to develop his Principia mathematica philosophiae naturalis.
This is a copy of the tract sent via Edward Paget to Halley, which contained Newton's demonstration that an elliptical orbit entails an inverse-square force to one focus. From these insights, Newton went on to develop his Principia mathematica philosophiae naturalis.
Related fellows
Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727, British) , Natural philosopher
Edmond Halley (1656 - 1742, British) , Astronomer
Edward Paget (1652 - 1703, British) , Army officer
Edmond Halley (1656 - 1742, British) , Astronomer
Edward Paget (1652 - 1703, British) , Army officer
Associated place