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What does Feynman suggest about the precision of physical laws?
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Physical laws are not exact and require continuous refinement with new discoveries.
How did Newton extend Galileo's principle of inertia?
By defining force as mass times acceleration and proposing that forces directed toward the sun explain planetary orbits.
What principle did Galileo contribute that was important for Newton’s laws?
The principle of inertia: Objects in motion stay in motion unless acted upon by a force.
What was Feynman's main objective in his lecture on physical laws?
To discuss the general characteristics of physical laws using gravitation as a specific example.
In what ways does gravitation confirm its consistency at cosmic scales?
Through observations of double stars, galaxies, and clusters of galaxies, gravitation is confirmed to hold stars and galaxies together.
What significant modifications to Newton’s laws were made by Einstein?
Einstein adjusted Newton's laws to account for relativity and quantum mechanics.
How does Feynman describe the laws of physics in relation to nature?
Laws of physics show the rhythm and pattern in natural phenomena that are not apparent to the naked eye.
What are some of the broader applications of the law of gravitation according to Feynman?
Explaining tides, calculating the moon's fall rate, and weighing the Earth.
What experiment by Cavendish helped further validate Newton's law of gravitation?
Cavendish measured the gravitational attraction between small objects, affirming that gravitational force applies universally.
How do Feynman’s reflections connect small parts of nature with the larger universe?
By observing small parts of nature, patterns that govern the entire universe can be understood, exemplified through the simplicity of natural laws.
Why does Feynman consider gravitation as mathematically simple yet universally significant?
Because the mathematical expression of gravitation is simple, and it applies universally to all objects.
What observation did ancient astronomers make about planetary motion?
They observed that planets revolve around the sun.
According to Feynman, what is considered one of humanity's greatest generalizations?
The law of gravitation.
What is the mathematical formulation of the law of gravitation?
Force = G * (m1 * m2) / d^2, where G is the gravitational constant.
What are Kepler's three laws of planetary motion?
1. Planets orbit the sun in ellipses with the sun at one focus. 2. Planets sweep out equal areas in equal times. 3. Orbital period squared is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of the orbit.
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