Scientist
Isaac Newton (1643–1727)
Isaac Newton is considered one of the most important scientists who ever lived, best known for discovering the laws of gravity and motion that underpinned modern physics.
Gravity and the Laws of Motion
Newton is famous for discovering gravity. According to popular legend, he was inspired by watching an apple fall from a tree. He developed a theory that explained why objects fall to the ground and why the planets orbit the sun — the same force, gravity, governs both.
He also formulated the three laws of motion, which describe how objects move and respond to forces. These laws formed the basis of classical mechanics and were central to physics for over two centuries.
Other Contributions
Beyond gravity, Newton made important early contributions to calculus — the branch of mathematics concerned with rates of change — and to the study of optics, demonstrating that white light is made up of the colours of the spectrum.
He became President of the Royal Society, the UK's leading scientific institution, a position that recognised his enormous standing in the scientific community. He died in 1727 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Key facts for the test
- Lived from 1643 to 1727
- Discovered gravity — famously associated with a falling apple
- Developed the laws of motion and gravity
- Made early contributions to calculus and optics
- Became President of the Royal Society
- Considered one of the most important scientists who ever lived