The New Physics

Aug 19, 2015 - Aug 31, 2016

In 1638, Galileo published his masterwork of physics, Discourse on Two New Sciences. The two sciences were tensile strength and mechanics, the study of machines in motion. Instead of basing physics on logic and qualitative principles, Galileo demonstrated a new experimental and mathematical approach to physics. This work, combined with Newton’s work on mathematical physics the following generation, would transform understanding of motion and even the understanding of the universe.

History of Science

5th Floor Special Collections

This exhibit is located on the 5th Floor Special Collections, accessed through the elevators in the west main lobby of Bizzell Memorial Library. Visit History of Science for visitor information.

Exhibit Highlights

Essential items for a core understanding

	Euclid, Elements of Geometry, 1482 (Venice, 1482)
	Nasir ad-Din Al-Tusi, Euclid's Elements of Geometry, 1594 (Rome, 1594)
	Galileo , Mathematical Discourses (London, 1730)

Exhibit At A Glance

1. Machines in Motion

Scientist-engineers of the 16th century debated the theoretical principles of machines in motion. Ancient sources included a treatise on mechanics attributed to Aristotle; the mathematical methods of Archimedes; and Hero of Alexandria’s analysis of five simple machines: the lever, pulley, wheel, wedge and screw. The design of large-scale, complex machines drew attention to weaknesses in existing theoretical frameworks which Galileo resolved in his new science of motion.
0	Ron Mitchell, Inclined plane instrument. University of Oklahoma Libraries, 2015
0	Paul E. Klopsteg, Paul E. Klopsteg Collection of the History and Technology of Archery, miscellaneous items.
0	Heizo Sadatake Ise, Secret Book of the Quiver (Fuku (no) Sho) ca. 1846
1	Euclid, Elements of Geometry, 1482 (Preclarissimus liber elementorum). Venice, 1482
2	Nasir ad-Din Al-Tusi, Euclid's Elements of Geometry, 1594 (Kitab tahrir usul l-Uqlidus). Rome, 1594
3	Niccolo Tartaglia, Euclide ( ). Venice, 1543
4	Christoph Clavius, Euclid's Elements of Geometry, 1589, vol. 1 (Euclidis elementorum). Rome, 1589
5	Christoph Clavius, Euclid's Elements of Geometry, 1589, vol. 2 (Euclidis elementorum). Rome, 1589
6	Bernardino Baldi, Problems and Exercises in Aristotle’s Mechanics (In mechanica Aristotelis problema exercitationes). Mainz, 1621
7	Archimedes, Works, Archimedes (Opera). Venice, 1543
8	Apollonius, On Conic Sections (Conicorum). Oxford, 1710
9	Bonaventura Cavalieri, The Burning Mirror (Lo Specchio Ustorio). Bologna, 1632
10	Philoponus, Commentary on Aristotle’s Posterior Analytics (In posteriora resolutoria Aristotelis Comentaria). Venice, 1504
11	Simon Stevin, Mathematical Works (Les Oeuvres Mathematiques). Leiden, 1634
12	Luca Valerio, On the Center of Gravity of Solids, 1661 (De centro gravitatis solidorum). Bologna, 1661
13	Guidobaldo del Monte, On Perspective (Perspectivae). Pesaro, 1600
14	Guidobaldo del Monte, On Mechanics (Mechanicorum). Pisa, 1577
15	Marin Marsenne, Galileo, Mechanics (Les Mechaniques du Sieur Galilée). Paris, 1634
16	Galileo , Mathematical Discourses. London, 1730
18	Nobutoyo, Book of the Arrow (Yahon Hiden). , ca. 1846
19	Nobutoyo, Book of Leggings (Koto no sho). , ca. 1846
20	Heizo Sadatake Ise, Secret Book of Hunger for the Target (Kasakake zenki). , ca. 1846

2. The Universe

Galileo was one of a generation of mathematicians who believed they understood physics better than the physicists. Physicists, then trained in Aristotle’s logical methods, understood neither the theoretical basis of mechanics nor the tradition of mathematical astronomy which they regarded as hypothetical and uncertain. A generation after Galileo, the new mathematical approach to physics triumphed in Newton’s *Principia*, or *Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy*, integrated mathematics into physics.
1	Plato, The Divine Plato (Diuus Plato). Venice, 1491
2	Aristotle, Works in Greek, vol. 1 (Opera Graece, vol. 1). Venice, 1495-1498
3	Aristotle, Works in Greek, vol. 2 (Opera Graece, vol. 2). Venice, 1495-1498
4	Aristotle, Works in Greek, vol 3 pt. A (Opera Graece, vol. 3 pt. A). Venice, 1495-1498
5	Aristotle, Works in Greek, vol 3 pt. B (Opera Graece, vol. 3 pt. B). Venice, 1495-1498
6	Aristotle, Works in Greek, vol. 4 (Opera Graece, vol. 4). Venice, 1495-1498
7	Aristarchus of Samos, On the Sizes and Distances of the Sun and Moon (De magnitudinibus et distantiis solis, et lunae). Pesaro, 1572
7	Aristotle, Works in Greek, vol. 5 (Opera Graece, vol. 5). Venice, 1495-1498
8	Proclus, On the Sphere, 1511 (Sphaera). Vienna, 1511
9	Al-Qabisi, Commentary on Al-Qabisi (Alchabitius cum commento). Venice, 1512
10	Abraham bar Hiyya, On the Sphere of the Universe (Sphaera mundi). Basel, 1546
11	Joannes de Sacro Bosco, On the Sphere (De Sphaera). Venice, 1490
12	Francesco Barozzi, Cosmography, 1585 (Cosmographia). Venice, 1585
13	William Gilbert, On the Magnet (De magnete). London, 1600
14	René Déscartes, Principles of Philosophy (Principia philosophiae). Amsterdam, 1644
15	Fontenelle, Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds. London, 1728
16	Isaac Newton, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, 1687 (Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica). London, 1687
17	Francesco Algarotti, Newtonianism for Women (Newtonianismo per le Dame). Naples, 1737
18	James Bradley, An Account of a New Discovered Motion of the Fix’d Stars ( ). London, 1729
19	Wilhelm Bessel, On the Proper Motion of Fixed Stars (De motu proprio stellarum fixarum)
20	Léon Foucault, Physical Demonstration of the Rotational Movement of the Earth (Démonstration Physique du Mouvement de la Rotation de la Terre). Paris, 1851
21	Léon Foucault, Physical Demonstration of the Rotational Movement of the Earth (Démonstration Physique du Mouvement de la Rotation de la Terre). Paris, 1851
22	Albert Einstein, The Centenary of General Relativity, misc. items 1915-2015

Explore the Topic

Supplemental resources for a rich educational experience

	Galileo & Mechanics Galileo's mechanical studies were deeply influenced by two historical precedents.
	Galileo's World Exhibit Guide iBook companion to the Galileo's World exhibition

The New Physics

Bizzell Memorial Library

History of Science

Exhibit Highlights

Exhibit At A Glance

1. Machines in Motion

2. The Universe

Explore the Topic