1. From Newton to Einstein

Abstract

Gravity is the weakest of nature’s four fundamental forces, yet over large distances it dominates. This is because gravity, unlike the other forces in nature, is only ever attractive. The gravitational force between objects always increases as they become larger and have more mass. Despite the efforts of Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, gravity remains an enigmatic puzzle. ‘From Newton to Einstein’ considers the pre-history of gravity including the ideas of Aristotle and Galileo. It describes Newton’s theory of gravity, first published in 1687. It finally explains Einstein’s theory of gravity, which supplanted Newton’s theory, and explains that is the curvature of space-time that is responsible for it all.