Newtonian Gravity up Close and in Context

Course Overview

Newton's theory of universal gravitation is one of the most important and celebrated physical theories in history. But it was also the subject of a decades-long controversy and helped radically change what was expected of physical explanations. This course, aimed at bright Year 11s and A-Level students, will mix historical, philosophical and physical approaches to understand Newton's theory and the arguments over it. By the end of the course, the student will have acquired an appreciation for the importance of the historical and philosophical dimensions to science, a more explicit and nuanced understanding of what scientific explanation consists of, a deeper understanding of the genesis, strengths and weaknesses of Newton's theory and the ability to use heuristic methods to understand mathematical formulae used in physics. This course provides an introductory understanding of Einstein's theory of gravity and why it replaced Newton's. There will be notes to accompany the course. Since much of it will proceed by discussion, the length of the course will be flexible; expansion is certainly possible if the student is particularly interested.