Top of page

Book/Printed Material Principia. Philosophiæ naturalis principia mathematica

View 505 images in sequence.

About this Item

Title

  • Principia.

Other Title

  • Philosophiæ naturalis principia mathematica

Summary

  • Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica (Mathematical principles of natural philosophy) is Sir Isaac Newton's masterpiece. Its appearance was a turning point in the history of science, and the treatise is considered by many as the most important scientific work ever published. Newton (1642--1727) was a professor of mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge, when he produced the work. It presents the basis of physics and astronomy, formulated in the language of pure geometry. It is a deductive work in which, from very general propositions, mechanical properties are demonstrated in the form of theorems. It lays the foundations of hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, and acoustics, and systematizes a method for the study of nature by mathematical means. The work was written in Latin, which indicates its intended audience: experts in mathematics and mechanics, astronomers, philosophers, and university graduates. The Principia, as the work is known, consists of three books, preceded by a preliminary chapter of definitions and another that deals with axioms or the laws of movement. The "definitions," eight in total, define the vocabulary that is used throughout the text and introduce the concept of absolute space and time. Book 1, "Axioms and the Laws of Movement" is by far the best-known part of the work. Newton's first law states that every object continues to do what it happens to be doing in its state of rest or uniform motion unless a force is exerted upon it. The state of inertia thus becomes the first law or axiom. The second law states that the net force on an object is equal to the rate of change of its linear momentum in an inertial reference frame. The third law states that all forces between two objects exist in equal magnitude and opposite direction. It is on this third law that gravitational dynamics as a system of reciprocal attraction is based. Book 2 deals with the movement of bodies in relation to resistance and velocity. In this central part of the work, the first chapter deals with the movement of objects in a vacuum, i.e., the motion of objects that encounter no resistance. Book 3, "The System of the World," is where the principles of astronomy elaborated previously are applied. Newton explores derivation of the laws of gravity, implications for planetary orbits, the moon and equinoxes in their relation to gravitational theory, and the study of comets. He finishes the treatise with the text of the "General Scholium," added from the second edition onward. This infers a rational explanation for the existence of a superior being and is famous for his statement "I do not feign hypotheses" about his methodology. The Principia appeared in three editions during Newton's lifetime: the first in 1687, with a print run of 300--400 copies; this was followed by the 1713 edition, revised, amended, and expanded by the author; which in turn was followed by the 1726 edition, revised by Newton and edited by Henry Pemberton. Andrew Motte's English translation did not appear until 1729 (after Newton's death). The French edition was published in 1756; it was translated by the Marquise de Châtelet, with additions by the mathematician Alexis-Claude Clairaut, and a foreword by Voltaire.

Names

  • Halley, Edmond, 1656-1742 Contributor.
  • Newton, Isaac, Sir, 1642-1727 Author.
  • Royal Society (Great Britain) Associated Name.
  • Streater, Joseph, flourished 1687-1688 Printer.

Created / Published

  • London : Royal Society, 1687.

Headings

  • -  United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland--England
  • -  1687
  • -  Mathematical physics
  • -  Mechanics
  • -  Newton, Isaac, Sir, 1642-1727
  • -  Philosophy of nature

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  Original resource extent: 510 pages.
  • -  Original resource at: Complutense University of Madrid.
  • -  Content in Latin.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021667054

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is unaware of any copyright or other restrictions in the World Digital Library Collection. Absent any such restrictions, these materials are free to use and reuse. Researchers are encouraged to review the source information attached to each item. For information on contacting WDL partner organizations, see this archived list of partners

The Library asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here.

Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

More about Copyright and other Restrictions

For additional information and contact information for many of the partner organizations, see this archived capture of the World Digital Library site from 2021.

For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Halley, Edmond, Contributor, Isaac Newton, Royal Society Associated Name, and Joseph Streater. Principia. London: Royal Society, 1687. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667054/.

APA citation style:

Halley, E., Newton, I., Royal Society Associated Name & Streater, J. (1687) Principia. London: Royal Society. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667054/.

MLA citation style:

Halley, Edmond, Contributor, et al. Principia. London: Royal Society, 1687. Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021667054/>.