Can you solve it? Isaac Newton’s tower drop puzzle
Today’s puzzle played a pivotal role in the birth of classical phyics.
TL;DR
- A puzzle about an object dropped from a tower, considering Earth's rotation, played a role in the birth of classical physics.
- Isaac Newton posed this problem in 1679, noting its answer was "quite contrary to ye opinion of ye vulgar."
- Hints suggest considering the Earth's spin and comparing the effect to a spinning figure skater pulling in their arms.
- David Acheson, a mathematics professor, suggested the puzzle and wrote a book, 'Wonders in Motion,' which includes more background.
- Hooke's correspondence with Newton about this puzzle rekindled Newton's interest in gravity and motion, leading to his work in the *Principia*.