The different approaches between Kepler and Newton in determining the force laws
Yuvita Oktarisa

Department of Physics Education, Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Indonesia

Abstract

One of Kepler^s most significant contributions to science was finding planetary motion laws, which is the foundation of celestial mechanincs. Kepler^s laws of planetary motion were not merely guesswork. He tried to apply his understanding of the relationship between force and distance to explain his planetary laws^ physical reason. However, there is usually no akcnowledgement in introductory physics textbook to the topic of Kepler^s laws regarding how Kepler tried to explain his planetary laws. Most of the introductory physics textbooks only give Newton^s description explaianing Kepler^s laws of planetary motion. This paper describes different approaches between Kepler and Newton in determining the force law and discusses some of its pedagogical implications.

Keywords: Kepler^s distance law, Newton^s centripetal force, the force law

Topic: Physics Education