Sir Isaac Newton was one of the most influential scientists in history. His discoveries about gravity, motion, and light transformed our understanding of the physical world.
Life
- <strong>Born</strong>: 25 December 1642, Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire
- <strong>Died</strong>: 20 March 1727, London
- <strong>Education</strong>: Cambridge University
- <strong>Positions</strong>: Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, Master of the Royal Mint
Major Discoveries
Laws of Motion 1. **First Law**: An object stays at rest or in motion unless acted upon by a force 2. **Second Law**: Force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma) 3. **Third Law**: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
Law of Universal Gravitation - All objects attract each other with a force proportional to their masses - Legend says the idea came from watching an apple fall
Mathematics - Invented calculus (independently of Leibniz) - Advanced algebra and geometry
Optics - Discovered that white light is made of colours - Built the first reflecting telescope
Major Work
**Principia Mathematica** (1687) - One of the most important scientific books ever written, laying out his laws of motion and gravity.
Legacy
- Foundation of classical physics
- Influenced science for 300 years
- Buried in Westminster Abbey
- Honoured on British currency