Quote by: Richard Feynman

If someone were to propose that the planets go around the sun because all planet matter has a kind of tendency for movement, a kind of motility, let us call it an ‘oomph,’ this theory could explain a number of other phenomena as well. So this is a good theory, is it not? No. It is nowhere near as good as the proposition that the planets move around the sun under the influence of a central force which varies exactly inversely as the square of the distance from the center. The second theory is better because it is so specific; it is so obviously unlikely to be the result of chance. It is so definite that the barest error in the movement can show that it is wrong; but the planets could wobble all over the place, and, according to the first theory, you could say, ‘Well, that is the funny behavior of the ‘oomph.


Share this:  

Author Bio


  • NameRichard Feynman
  • DescriptionAmerican quantum physicist
  • AliasesRichard Phillips Feynman
  • BornMay 11, 1918
  • DiedFebruary 15, 1988
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionPhysicist; Quantum Physicist; Author; Engineer
  • AwardsNobel Prize In Physics; Oersted Medal; Niels Bohr International Gold Medal