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This case study examines the interrelationship between mathematics and physics in the work of one of the major figures of the Scientific Revolution, the Dutch mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695). Professor Yoder offers a detailed account of the discoveries that Huygens made at the end of 1659, including the invention of a pendulum clock that theoretically kept absolutely uniform time, and the creation of a mathematical theory of evolutes. She also describes the way that each of these important discoveries arose from the interaction of Huygens' mathematics and physics. A discussion of Huygens' relationship with other scientists and the priority disputes that sometimes motivated his research help place his work in the context of the period. The reception of Huygens' masterpiece, the Horologium Oscillatorium of 1673 and the place of evolutes in the history of mathematics are also analyzed. Finally, the role of Huygens in the rise of applied mathematics is addressed.
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This case study examines the interrelationship between mathematics and physics in the work of one of the major figures of the Scientific Revolution: the Dutch mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695). Joella Yoder details the creative interaction that led Huygens to invent a pendulum clock that theoretically beat absolutely uniform time, to measure the constant of gravitational acceleration, to analyze centrifugal force, and to create the mathematical theory of evolutes. In the second half of the book, Dr. Yoder places Huygens's work in the context of his time by examining his relationship with other scientists and the priority disputes that sometimes motivated his research. The role of evolutes in the history of mathematics is analyzed; the reception of Huygens's masterpiece, the Horologium Oscillatorium of 1673, is described; and finally, the part that Christiaan Huygens played in the rise of applied mathematics is addressed. Unrolling time UNROLLING TIME Christiaan Huygens and the mathematization of nature Joella G. Yoder The right of the University of Cambridge to print and sell all manner of books was granted by Henry V111 in 1534. The University has printed and pablished continaowly since 1584. Cambridge University Press Cambridge New York Port Chester Melbourne Sydney PUBLISHED BY THE PRESS SYNDICATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK 40 West 20th Street, New York NY 10011-4211, USA 477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia Ruiz de Alarcon 13, 28014 Madrid, Spain Dock House, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8001, South Africa http://www.cambridge.org © Cambridge University Press 1988 This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 1988 Reprinted 1990 First paperback edition 2004 A catalogue recordfor this book is available front the British Library Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication data Yoder, Joella Gerstmeyer, 1944Unrolling time: Christiaan Huygens and the mathematization of nature / Joella G. Yoder. p. cm. Bibliography: p. ISBN 0 521 34140 X hardback 1. Mathematics - Early works to 1800 -Collected works. 2. Science Mathematics - Early works to 1800- Collected works. I. Title. QA3.Y63 1988 510'.92'4-dcl9 88-6975 CIP ISBN 0521 34140 X hardback ISBN 0 521 52481 4 paperback With great affection and appreciation I dedicate this book to my mother, Vera W. Lane, for whom the education of her daughter was always fir