Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

Isaac Newton was born in a little village, not far from the old university town of Cambridge, on December 25, 1642.

As a schoolboy, Isaac liked to make things with his own hands. He made a primitive wooden clock that was driven by the slow escape of water. He interested in mathematics and nature phenom­ena.

Newton’s contribution to science is great. When Newton was 21 he developed a mathematical method. At the age of 24 the young scientist developed the theory of gravity in its basic features and some twenty years later he returned to the subject

The study of light was Newton's favourite study. Having made a number of experiments with lenses, he came to the conclusion that white light consisted of rays of different colours and that each kind of coloured ray was differently bent when it fell on a glass surtace at the angle. His results formed the basis of modern spectography, greatly developing the field of optics.

Having been brought, by the fall of the apple, to the conclusion that the apple and the earth were pulling one another, he began to think of the same pull of gravity extending far beyond the earthy Newton calculated the force of gravity acting between the sun and the planets, thus establishing the law of gravitation in its most general form.

He also discovered the laws of motion, which we still consider to be the basis of all calculations concerning the motion.

He died at the age of 84. His funeral ceremonies were those of a national hero. It was the first time that national honours of this kind have been given in England to a man of science.

Ex.5 Look through the text again and translate the following words and word-combinations: to be fond of, experiment, to prove, devote, discovery, particle, to apply, flatten, basis, honor, a man of science

Ex.6 Find in the text the English equivalents for the following:

На полюсах, сила, основной принцип, пропорционально, частица вещества, величайшее открытие, доказать, лучи света, примитивные деревянные часы, вклад в науку, назначать профессором.

Ex.7 Correct the statements if necessary:

1. Isaac Newton was born in a little village, far from the old university town Cambridge. 2. He was born on December 26, 1642. 3. At the age of 18 he was sent to Oxford. 4. After having his degree he was appointed student to the chair of physics and mathematics. 5. The study of light was his favorite study.

6. He made a conclusion by the fall of the peach.

Ex.8 Give questions to which the following sentences are the answers:

1. Newton devoted all his life to scientific experiments. 2. Isaac Newton was born in the family of a poor farmer. 3. After school he studied at Cambridge. 4. He interested in mathematics and nature phenomena.

5. His results developed the field of optics. 6. He also discovered the laws of motion. 7. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Ex.9 Use the text to enlarge the given statements:

1. He proved that … . 2. Newton’s great discovery was … . 3. At the age of 18 … . 4. Having made a number of experiments with lenses … . 5. At the age of 84 … . 6. It was the first time …

Ex.10 Answer the following questions:

1. What was the first thing that Isaac made with his own hands?

2. To what chair was he appointed at Cambridge?

3. How old was Newton when he developed a mathematical method?

4. With what did he make experiments to come to the conclusion that White light consisted of rays?

5. How did he establish the law of gravitation?

6. Was he buried as a national hero?

Ex.11 Reorder the items of the plan according to the logic of the text. Describe item 5 of the plan in detail. 1. His results formed the basis of modern spectography.

2. As a schoolboy Isaac liked to make things with his own hands.

3. He calculated the force of gravity acting between the sun and the planets.

4. He made a number of experiments with lenses.

5. At the age of 24 the young scientist developed a mathematical method.

Ex.12 Give a written summary of the text in 5-7 sentences.