The mechanical philosophy
1.[2p] If the essence of matter is extension, what follows about empty space?
If the essence of matter is extension, what follows about empty space?
The answer is: There can be no vacuum, since a region with extension is a region containing matter
The answer is: There can be no vacuum, since a region with extension is a region containing matter
The answer is: There can be no vacuum, since a region with extension is a region containing matter
2.[2p] Light strikes water at 45 degrees from the normal, with n = 1.333. What is the angle of refraction, in degrees?
Light strikes water at 45 degrees from the normal, with n = 1.333. What is the angle of refraction, in degrees?
3.[2p] At what angle, in degrees, is light inside water totally reflected at the surface?
At what angle, in degrees, is light inside water totally reflected at the surface?
4.[3p] Descartes traced rays through a spherical drop and found the deviation stationary at 137.9 degrees. At what angle from the antisolar direction does the primary rainbow appear?
Descartes traced rays through a spherical drop and found the deviation stationary at 137.9 degrees. At what angle from the antisolar direction does the primary rainbow appear?
5.[3p] What could Descartes's theory of the rainbow not account for?
What could Descartes's theory of the rainbow not account for?
The answer is: The colours, which need white light to be a mixture separated by refraction rather than modified by it
The answer is: The colours, which need white light to be a mixture separated by refraction rather than modified by it
The answer is: The colours, which need white light to be a mixture separated by refraction rather than modified by it
6.[3p] Which facts does the vortex theory explain that no theory before it had?
Which facts does the vortex theory explain that no theory before it had?
Select all that apply
The answer is: Why all the planets travel round the sun in the same direction, Why the planetary orbits lie in nearly the same plane, Why gravity acts towards a centre with nothing reaching across the gap
7.[3p] How long, in metres, must a pendulum be to have a period of two seconds, taking g as 9.81?
How long, in metres, must a pendulum be to have a period of two seconds, taking g as 9.81?
8.[2p] Descartes's seven rules of impact were correct, and Huygens merely restated them in modern notation.
Descartes's seven rules of impact were correct, and Huygens merely restated them in modern notation.
The answer is: False
9.[3p] What does the mechanical philosophy forbid, and why does that matter for what follows?
What does the mechanical philosophy forbid, and why does that matter for what follows?
The answer is: Any action at a distance, which is exactly what universal gravitation requires
The answer is: Any action at a distance, which is exactly what universal gravitation requires
The answer is: Any action at a distance, which is exactly what universal gravitation requires