Unraveling a 300-Year Misinterpretation: The Truth Behind a Major Law of Physics

In 1687, Isaac Newton laid down his laws of motion. He wrote in Latin, hoping his ideas would endure through the ages. Today, we’re still discussing them thanks to endless translations and debates.

Recently, philosophy professor Daniel Hoek from Virginia Tech pointed out a mistake in how we’ve interpreted Newton’s first law of motion. He believes a translation error has led to misconceptions for centuries.

In the original Latin text, the word “quatenus,” meaning “insofar,” was translated incorrectly, leading to the common phrase that an object will remain at rest or move in a straight line “unless” acted upon by a force. This interpretation suggests that objects are free from external influences until something forces them to change. But Newton’s thoughts were likely more nuanced than that.

Hoek’s research revisits this translation and highlights that every change in an object’s motion is due to external forces. He argues that Newton’s original meaning was lost over time. His findings were published in a 2022 research paper.

According to Hoek, restoring the correct word offers a clearer understanding of Newton’s first law. It implies that rather than just maintaining momentum, every shift in an object’s speed or direction stems from external forces. This view helps us grasp the law’s essence: it’s less about resisting change and more about recognizing the constant impact of forces.

Hoek points out that historically, Newton provided examples to illustrate his law, like a spinning top that slows down due to air resistance. This example clearly shows how the first law applies to real-world scenarios where forces are always at play.

Understanding the law this way connects planets, stars, and earthly objects under the same principles. Every speed change or direction tilt—whether it’s tiny atoms or massive galaxies—follows Newton’s law.

So, while some see Hoek’s interpretation as unconventional, he believes it’s a fresh look at Newton’s revolutionary ideas, reminding us that everything in the universe operates under shared physical laws.

This research is a fascinating reminder that even 300 years later, we’re still learning from the great minds of the past.