牛顿与炼金术（Newton and alchemy）.docVIP

牛顿与炼金术（Newton and alchemy） Newton and alchemy Author: Chen pengwei time: 2008-2-29 Newton, a glorious and great name, is a pivotal figure in the history of science. His book, the mathematical principles of natural philosophy, is an immortal classic in physics. The image of scientific giants and rational incarnations has been popular for centuries. However, this image is not a complete Newton. Did Newton really study alchemy? 1. The strange hypothesis in principle 1 Worked in Newtons magnum opus the mathematical principles of natural philosophy in version 1 iii, there is a mismatch with the books contents of alchemy assumptions, namely Ⅲ hypothesis , it is a hypothesis about alchemy: each object can change into any another, all can have the nature of the intermediate level. It is puzzling that such a non-scientific hypothesis can be found in such a work of physics. 1. Clues in the manuscript When Newton died in 1727, his friends discovered that he had left a million word manuscript about alchemy, 169 books on chemistry and alchemy. The manuscripts of alchemy were rediscovered in 1936 when Newtons mass of unscientific manuscripts were auctioned at sothebys in Britain. The manuscript contains numerous records of Newtons research on alchemy, the design of various alchemy experiments, the equipment of alchemy, the results of the research, and the unique thinking of Newton. As these researchers ignored by early Newton file of exposure, the traditional Newtons image has been called into question, as rational embodiment Newton besides engaged in scientific research, dont really have enthusiasm and persistent into large amounts of scientific research? 1. Real history Around 1667, Newton began to study traditional chemistry, but later turned to what he thought was a more exciting field of alchemy. At the end of 1669, Newton began the alchemy experiment. In nearly 30 years, before he left Cambridge for the mint, Newton spent a lot of time and energy working on alchemy. Even du