Laplace, Pierre-Simon
Published: August 21, 2008, 2:55 pm
Updated: August 21, 2008, 2:55 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
Pierre-Simon Laplace. (Source: Laplace)
Pierre-Simon Laplace (1749-1827), a French physicist and mathematician who placed the capstone on mathematical astronomy by summarizing and extending the work of his predecessors in his five volume Mécanique Céleste (Celestial Mechanics) (1799-1825). This work translated the geometrical study of mechanics used by Newton to one based on calculus, known as physical mechanics. Laplace proved the dynamical stability of the solar system (with tidal friction ignored) on short time scales. On long time scales, however, this assertion was proven false in the early 1990s. Laplace contributed the Laplace transform and Laplace's equation to the field of mathematics. He also made seminal contributions to our understanding of the energetics of the oceans with his tidal equations. He used the principles of momentum and conservation of energy to describe the energy associated with the motion and dissipation of tides.
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Laplace, Pierre-Simon". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 21, 2008; Last revised Date August 21, 2008; Retrieved May 24, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Laplace,_Pierre-Simon>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Pierre-Simon Laplace. (Source: Laplace)
Pierre-Simon Laplace (1749-1827), a French physicist and mathematician who placed the capstone on mathematical astronomy by summarizing and extending the work of his predecessors in his five volume Mécanique Céleste (Celestial Mechanics) (1799-1825). This work translated the geometrical study of mechanics used by Newton to one based on calculus, known as physical mechanics. Laplace proved the dynamical stability of the solar system (with tidal friction ignored) on short time scales. On long time scales, however, this assertion was proven false in the early 1990s. Laplace contributed the Laplace transform and Laplace's equation to the field of mathematics. He also made seminal contributions to our understanding of the energetics of the oceans with his tidal equations. He used the principles of momentum and conservation of energy to describe the energy associated with the motion and dissipation of tides.
Further Reading
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