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What did Galileo contribute to the understanding of motion?
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Galileo contributed the principle of inertia, describing how objects in motion remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
What did the Cavendish Experiment demonstrate?
The Cavendish Experiment demonstrated gravitational attraction between masses on Earth, indirectly 'weighing the Earth' and determining the value of G.
What does the 'Universal Law' in gravitational theory refer to?
The 'Universal Law' refers to the wide-ranging application of gravitational law, from Earth’s tides to interstellar movements.
How are tides and celestial mechanics explained in relation to gravitational forces?
Tides and celestial mechanics are explained by gravitational forces exerted by the moon (and the sun).
What challenges did Feynman discuss regarding integrating quantum mechanics with gravitational theory?
Feynman touched upon the challenges and current limits of integrating quantum mechanics with gravitational theory, an area still ripe for discovery.
How does gravitational law demonstrate scale and impact in the universe?
Gravitational law governs universal phenomena from the microscopic to the macroscopic scale, revealing the intrinsic simplicity and beauty of physical laws.
Why is gravity considered a reflective concept?
Gravity is considered a reflective concept because it raises questions about why gravity affects objects and the nature behind proportional masses responding uniformly to gravitational force.
How did Professor Feynman portray gravity in his lecture?
Professor Feynman depicted gravity not only as a fundamental force but also as a profound connector that bridges the cosmos, emphasizing its mysteries and expansive nature.
Discuss the concept of General Relativity and its impact on gravitational theory.
General Relativity provided a deeper understanding of gravity, explaining it through the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy, correcting anomalies in Mercury's orbit, improving upon Newton's theories.
Explain Newton's Law of Gravitation and the formula associated with it.
Newton's Law of Gravitation states that every point mass attracts every other point mass by a force acting along the line intersecting both points. The formula is F = G(m1*m2)/r^2, where G is the gravitational constant.
Explain the significance of the Inverse Square Law in the context of gravitational forces.
The Inverse Square Law refers to the similarity of form between gravity and electromagnetic forces, prompting deeper inquiries into the fundamental interactions in nature.
What are Kepler's Laws and how were they derived?
Kepler's Laws describe planetary motions, establishing elliptical orbits and temporal-spatial relations of planets around the sun. They were derived from the meticulous observations of Tycho Brahe.
What did Einstein's theory of General Relativity correct from Newton's theories?
Einstein's General Relativity corrected anomalies in Mercury's orbit and provided a more nuanced explanation based on the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy.
What critical reflection was made about Newtonian gravity in the lecture?
Despite its precise predictions within many contexts, Newtonian gravity isn't always exact, evidenced by the need for relativistic corrections.
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