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slimjim4911 · Aug 4, 2005, 09:00 pm

I think that Isaac Newton is the most influential physicist. Most may say Einstein, but I say Newton for the following reasons. He established the foundation of Newtonian or classical mechanics. This framework held for nearly 200 years. It was the first form of physics and gave something by which to compare space and time (albeit it was incorrect because it said that space and time were absolute). Newton believed in instantaneous forces and used this idea to conceive his three laws of motion. Also, he is credited with having founded integral and differential calculus, the branch of mathematics that physics is almost wholly based on. Needless to say that if he wouldn't have discovered integral and differential calculus someone else would've because it was inevitable and necessary for the survival of physics. Newton also came up with the his color theory through his creation of the prism. He found that white light (light from the sun) is made up of all the colors of the visible spectrum. Lastly, what Newton is perhaps most renowned and respected for is his universal law of gravitation (I'm sure you all know the apple story). That's all I have. What do you guys think?

PatrickHenry · Aug 4, 2005, 10:58 pm

Most influential? Probably Marconi...radio and TV influence everyone in the world...

**Jack** · Aug 5, 2005, 01:07 am

Hawking. He popularized physics and got many of us thinking beyond our little universe.

rcne · Aug 5, 2005, 09:07 am

Quote:

Quote by: PatrickHenry

Most influential? Probably Marconi...radio and TV influence everyone in the world...

PH Tesla holds the patent. Marconi was one of his students/friends. If you are talking of the most benefit to our world in general - then Tesla has to be it. Not only radio but the AC power distribution and the AC electric motors that drive industry.

tman_ndsu08 · Aug 5, 2005, 10:09 am

In the mainstream, I think it's hands down Einstien who is viewed as the greatest of all time.

rcne · Aug 5, 2005, 12:02 pm

Tesla wasn't a physicist but a great inventor, so I would also go with Einstein - after all, relatively speaking he was special. (pun..pun..pun)

PatrickHenry · Aug 5, 2005, 02:01 pm

Quote:

Quote by: rcne

Tesla holds the patent. Marconi was one of his students/friends.

Marconi got the Nobel Prize in physics for his work on radio, 1909.

I know Tesla was really first and likely a greater genius, but I looked for the Nobel winners and their relative influence on the real world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize/Physics.

If we are speaking of influence upon the scientific world, then both Einstein and Newton are towering giants, from completely different eras.

slimjim4911 · Aug 9, 2005, 06:42 pm

Haha very clever rcne

Aug 4, 2005, 09:00 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
slimjim4911 Sedimentary Rock Posts: 8	Who do you think is the most influential physicist? I think that Isaac Newton is the most influential physicist. Most may say Einstein, but I say Newton for the following reasons. He established the foundation of Newtonian or classical mechanics. This framework held for nearly 200 years. It was the first form of physics and gave something by which to compare space and time (albeit it was incorrect because it said that space and time were absolute). Newton believed in instantaneous forces and used this idea to conceive his three laws of motion. Also, he is credited with having founded integral and differential calculus, the branch of mathematics that physics is almost wholly based on. Needless to say that if he wouldn't have discovered integral and differential calculus someone else would've because it was inevitable and necessary for the survival of physics. Newton also came up with the his color theory through his creation of the prism. He found that white light (light from the sun) is made up of all the colors of the visible spectrum. Lastly, what Newton is perhaps most renowned and respected for is his universal law of gravitation (I'm sure you all know the apple story). That's all I have. What do you guys think?

Aug 4, 2005, 10:58 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
PatrickHenry 9/11: Inside Job Location: Hawai'i, Big Island Posts: 10,438	Most influential? Probably Marconi...radio and TV influence everyone in the world... "Arms in the hands of the citizens may be used at individual discretion for the defense of the country, the overthrow of tyranny or private self-defense." -- John Adams

Aug 5, 2005, 01:07 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 13,335	Hawking. He popularized physics and got many of us thinking beyond our little universe. The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Aug 5, 2005, 12:02 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
rcne Moderator/nobody Posts: 1,566	Tesla wasn't a physicist but a great inventor, so I would also go with Einstein - after all, relatively speaking he was special. (pun..pun..pun) Live Long and Prosper (Genetics and Capitalism)

Aug 5, 2005, 10:09 am	#5 (permalink) (top)
tman_ndsu08 BANNED Posts: 5,021	In the mainstream, I think it's hands down Einstien who is viewed as the greatest of all time.

Aug 9, 2005, 06:42 pm	#8 (permalink) (top)
slimjim4911 Sedimentary Rock Posts: 8	Haha very clever rcne