Why don’t we make scientific laws anymore? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice break down how we went from laws to theories, what the term means in contemporary science, and how there will always be li
He did an excellent job around ~ 7:16 explaining how the Newtonian laws of universal gravitation and mechanics can be derived from general Relativity ("GR").
It's called the Correspondence Principle, and it predated Albert Einstein, Quantum Physics, and other modifications that Modern Physics made to older models.
As newer scientific discoveries are made in the fields of particle and theoretical physics, a new "Theory of Everything," which would hypothetically include a quantum field theory of spacetime curvature and gravitational waves, will be expected to reproduce GR within certain limitations.
In realms of science, a shift took hold (0:42),
From rigid "laws" to stories told.
Newton's might, once absolute and grand (0:10),
Met limits unforeseen, across the land (1:51).
Gravity's pull, a constant might (1:08),
But subtle changes, brought to light (1:20).
Mercury's dance, a curious sway (3:22),
Newton's laws, began to fray (3:52).
Then Einstein rose, with theories vast (4:10),
Relativity's embrace, designed to last (4:13).
Not to replace, but to extend the view (7:21),
Where speeds are high, and gravity's new (4:21).
A "law" once firm, now understood with grace (6:22),
As a special case, in time and space (6:25).
For truth evolves, with humble mind (6:37),
New depths of knowledge, we always find (14:26).
A "theory" now, a concept strong (8:59),
Not just a guess, where thoughts belong (8:23).
But verified, by test and sight (9:27),
Organizing realms, with shining light (9:09).
So let us learn, with open hand,
The universe's truths, across the land.
From laws to theories, our understanding grows,
As science journeys, and wisdom flows.
11:41 Around 3rd century BC, Aristarchus estimated the Sun’s distance by observing the Moon at half phase, when the Earth-Moon-Sun form a right angle at the Moon. He measured the angle between the Moon and Sun in the sky as about 87° (true value ~89.85°) and used trigonometry to estimate the Sun’s distance as the Earth-Moon distance divided by the cosine of that angle, placing the Sun about 19 times farther away than the Moon (actual value ~400). Because the Sun and Moon appear the same angular size, he concluded that the more distant Sun must be much larger, estimating its diameter at about 19 times that of the Moon. The method failed numerically because small errors near 90° cause huge distance errors, but it succeeded conceptually by correctly showing that the Sun is vastly larger than Earth, supporting heliocentrism. He broke the myth based knowledge and followed math, reasoning and experimentation almost 1500 years before Copernicus dusted that book off the shelf.
03:06 - When I saw those two suns orbiting each other and noticed they had Neil's face on them, I almost spat my food. 🤣 Shout out to the video editors, they're always throwing in a bunch of easter eggs, and this one was hilarious. 😅
I find it facinating to see how much Chuck has grown over the years in his ability to understand and contribute. I dont know about you guys but its heartwarming to see the progress to me
5:00 - Relativity broke my fragile little brain when I took a modern physics class in college. I loved my Newtonian physics. Hearing that what I had learned my whole life was actually "wrong", or simplified, was likely the most difficult academic pill I've ever had to swallow. It taught me to be humble about knowledge and what you think you know.
More than Neil explaining us things, I get more excited when Chuck gets an idea and Neil agrees with it. It’s like Chuck is representing us mere mortals in front of scientists like Neil.
Should science still use the word “law,” or is uncertainty its greatest strength?
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It's called the Correspondence Principle, and it predated Albert Einstein, Quantum Physics, and other modifications that Modern Physics made to older models.
As newer scientific discoveries are made in the fields of particle and theoretical physics, a new "Theory of Everything," which would hypothetically include a quantum field theory of spacetime curvature and gravitational waves, will be expected to reproduce GR within certain limitations.
From rigid "laws" to stories told.
Newton's might, once absolute and grand (0:10),
Met limits unforeseen, across the land (1:51).
Gravity's pull, a constant might (1:08),
But subtle changes, brought to light (1:20).
Mercury's dance, a curious sway (3:22),
Newton's laws, began to fray (3:52).
Then Einstein rose, with theories vast (4:10),
Relativity's embrace, designed to last (4:13).
Not to replace, but to extend the view (7:21),
Where speeds are high, and gravity's new (4:21).
A "law" once firm, now understood with grace (6:22),
As a special case, in time and space (6:25).
For truth evolves, with humble mind (6:37),
New depths of knowledge, we always find (14:26).
A "theory" now, a concept strong (8:59),
Not just a guess, where thoughts belong (8:23).
But verified, by test and sight (9:27),
Organizing realms, with shining light (9:09).
So let us learn, with open hand,
The universe's truths, across the land.
From laws to theories, our understanding grows,
As science journeys, and wisdom flows.
"YES" [Starts floating]