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The Problem of the Motion of Bodies

A Historical View of the Development of Classical Mechanics

  • Book
  • © 2014

Overview

Authors:
  1. Danilo Capecchi

    1. Facoltà di Architettura, Dipartimento di,Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Roma, Italy

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  • Comprehensive coverage of approaches to the problem of the motion of bodies over the course of human history
  • Includes numerous original quotations
  • Adopts a modern historical approach to the topic
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: History of Mechanism and Machine Science (HMMS, volume 25)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
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  2. The Science of Motion Sive Mechanics

    • Danilo Capecchi
    Pages 1-30

  3. Greek Period and Middle Ages

    • Danilo Capecchi
    Pages 31-81

  4. Humanism and Renaissance

    • Danilo Capecchi
    Pages 83-129

  5. Early Modern Studies on Motion

    • Danilo Capecchi
    Pages 131-221

  6. The Golden Age

    • Danilo Capecchi
    Pages 223-301

  7. The Motion of Solid Bodies

    • Danilo Capecchi
    Pages 303-364

  8. Inanimate Bodies Start Moving by Themselves

    • Danilo Capecchi
    Pages 365-458

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 459-554
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Keywords

About this book

This book focuses on the way in which the problem of the motion of bodies has been viewed and approached over the course of human history. It is not another traditional history of mechanics but rather aims to enable the reader to fully understand the deeper ideas that inspired men, first in attempting to understand the mechanisms of motion and then in formulating theories with predictive as well as explanatory value. Given this objective, certain parts of the history of mechanics are neglected, such as fluid mechanics, statics and astronomy after Newton. On the other hand, due attention is paid, for example, to the history of thermodynamics, which has its own particular point of view on motion. Inspired in part by historical epistemology, the book examines the various views and theories of a given historical period (synchronic analysis) and then makes comparisons between different periods (diachronic analysis). In each period, one or two of the most meaningful contributions are selected for particular attention, instead of presenting a long inventory of scientific achievements.

Reviews

“This is a very interesting volume for all scholars of mechanics interested in the roots of the basic question of their discipline … . the book is surely a very powerful tool for anyone interested in the basics of mechanics when seeking answers to questions on the subject.” (Giuseppe Claudio Rata, Mathematical Reviews, March, 2017)

“This work, part of the ‘History of Mechanism and Machine Science’ series, looks at the development of the physics of motion through six periods: classical-Hellenistic, Middle Ages, early Renaissance, the age of Galileo and Descartes, Newton’s (golden) age, and the 18th century. … a very interesting and illuminating read. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students and researchers/faculty.” (E. Kincanon, Choice, Vol. 52 (6), February, 2015)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Facoltà di Architettura, Dipartimento di,Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Roma, Italy

    Danilo Capecchi

About the author

Danilo Capecchi is Professor of Mechanics of Solids and History of Science at the University of Rome La Sapienza. His research into the history of science focuses mainly on classical mechanics.

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