How Galileo dropped the ball and Fermat picked it up
Roberts, Bryan W. (2009) How Galileo dropped the ball and Fermat picked it up.
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Abstract
This paper introduces a little-known episode in the history of physics, in which a mathematical proof by Pierre Fermat vindicated Galileo's characterization of freefall. The first part of the paper reviews the historical context leading up to Fermat's proof. The second part illustrates how a physical and a mathematical insight enabled Fermat's result, and that a simple modification would satisfy any of Fermat's critics. The result is an illustration of how a purely theoretical argument can settle an apparently empirical debate.
| Keywords: | foundations of physics, history of mathematics, freefall, acceleration, Galileo, Fermat |
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| Subjects: | Specific Sciences: Physics: Classical Physics General Issues: Theory Change General Issues: History of Science Case Studies |
| ID Code: | 4917 |
| Deposited By: | Roberts, Bryan |
| Deposited On: | 27 September 2009 |
| Additional Information: | Forthcoming in Synthese. |