Criticism of Wren's theory of motion
Date
10 June 1669
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p1
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 300mm
width (page): 198mm
width (page): 198mm
Subject
Description
Figure relating to theories of motion. In a letter dated 29 May 1669, Francis Willughby presented six cases of collisions in which (if Sir Christopher Wren's hypothesis of motion were true) the quantity of motion (product of mass and speed) would not be conserved. This was read anonymously at the meeting of the Royal Society on 10 June 1669, where it was commented on by Wren, as well as by William Brouncker.
Copies of the paper and figures can be found at RBC/3/152-54 and RB/1/20/189-90.
Copies of the paper and figures can be found at RBC/3/152-54 and RB/1/20/189-90.
Object history
10 June 1669, ‘Mr. Oldenburg produced and read two papers, one of which in Latin was sent to him by a member of the society, who would not be named, containing some animadversions upon the rules of motion communicated to the society, and made public, by Dr. Christopher Wren and Monsr. Huygens, viz. that from those rules it followed, there would be an increase and diminution of the sum of motion in the world: which the animadverter esteemed to be such a paradox, as was not to be admitted, unless it were supported by irrefragable experiments. Dr. Wren being present declared, that he had foreseen and considered that consequence, and esteemed it as a corollary, that naturally followed from his theory, and was true, having been verified by experiments made by himself and others, and there appearing none to the contrary. This being entertained by the society as very rational, it was ordered, that Mr. Oldenburg should be desired to acquaint the author of the animadversions with this answer of Dr. Wren, and to return him the society’s thanks for imparting those ingenious reflexions of his; adding, that in case he had made, or should make, any experiments disproving the said consequence, the society would be very glad to be informed thereof for farther disquisition. This paper was ordered to be registered’ (Birch 2:381-82).
Birch 2:381n identifies this author as Francis Willughby, who wrote the letter dated 29 May 1669 to Oldenburg.
Birch 2:381n identifies this author as Francis Willughby, who wrote the letter dated 29 May 1669 to Oldenburg.
Related fellows
Francis Willughby (1635 - 1672, British) , Naturalist
Christiaan Huygens (1629 - 2006, Dutch) , Natural philosopher
Christopher Wren (1632 - 1723, British) , Architect
Christiaan Huygens (1629 - 2006, Dutch) , Natural philosopher
Christopher Wren (1632 - 1723, British) , Architect
Associated place