Roberts, Bryan W. (2009) How Galileo dropped the ball and Fermat picked it up. [Preprint]

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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.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Roberts, Bryan W.
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in Synthese.
Keywords:	foundations of physics, history of mathematics, freefall, acceleration, Galileo, Fermat
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Theory Change General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Depositing User:	Dr. Bryan W. Roberts
Date Deposited:	27 Sep 2009
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:18
Item ID:	4917
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics General Issues > Theory Change General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Date:	September 2009
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4917

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