How did the birth of physics as a science begin?
The origin and development of physics as a science. Physics is one of the oldest natural sciences. The first physicists were Greek thinkers who attempted to explain the observed phenomena of nature. The greatest of the ancient thinkers was Aristotle (384-322 BC), But do not think that Aristotle’s “Physics” is in any way similar to modern physics textbooks. No! In it you will not find a single description of an experiment or device, not a drawing or drawing, not a single formula. It contains philosophical reflections on things, on time, on movement in general. All the works of scientists and thinkers of the ancient period were the same. This is how the Roman poet Lucretius (c. 99-55 BC) describes in the philosophical poem “On the Nature of Things” the movement of dust particles in a sunbeam: from the ancient Greek philosopher Thales (624-547 BC) e.) originate from our knowledge of electricity and magnetism, Democritus (460-370 BC) is the founder of the theory of the structure of matter, it was he who suggested that all bodies consist of the smallest particles – atoms, Euclid (III century BC) important research in the field of optics belongs – he was the first to formulate the basic laws of geometric optics (the law of rectilinear propagation of light and the law of reflection), described the action of flat and spherical mirrors.
Archimedes (287-212 BC) ranks first among the outstanding scientists and inventors of this period. From his works “On the equilibrium of planes”, “On floating bodies”, “On levers” such branches of physics as mechanics and hydrostatics begin their development. Archimedes’ bright engineering talent manifested itself in mechanical devices designed by him.
