In 1659 Huygens derived the formula for the centripetal force F = mv2/r In 1659 Huygens derived the formula for the centripetal force

m1v1 = m2v2 Huygens showed by experiment that momentum before = momentum after collision m1v1 = m2v2

use formulae in physics Huygens is seen as the first “theoretical” physicist as it is claimed he was the first to use formulae in physics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiaan_Huygens

I have however still to confirm this claim http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiaan_Huygens

Huygens had a geometrical method to differentiate the quantity dx/dy = y Huygens had a geometrical method to differentiate the quantity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiaan_Huygens

Diagram of a catenary indicating a geometric study http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiaan_Huygens Diagram of a catenary indicating a geometric study

http://skullsinthestars.com/2010/08/23/streets-of-the-optical-scientists/

http://skullsinthestars.com/2010/08/23/streets-of-the-optical-scientists/

http://www.princeton.edu/~hos/Mahoney/articles/huygens/timelong/timelong.html

http://commons. wikimedia http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christiaan_Huygens_Balance_Spring.png Huygens drawing of the balance wheel and balance spring which he invented – the now standard basic principle of the pocket watch