In this episode, we explore the extraordinary life of Émilie du Châtelet, an 18th-century French scholar who defied societal norms to become one of the most influential scientific thinkers of her time. Best known for her French translation and interpretation of Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica, Émilie not only made Newton’s complex work accessible to the French-speaking world, but also enriched it with her own commentary and insights. She advanced key ideas in energy conservation, arguing for the importance of kinetic energy (mv²) over mere momentum (mv), and conducted her own experiments to support her claims. Her book Institutions de Physique bridged Newtonian physics with continental philosophy. Working alongside Voltaire and enduring fierce academic resistance, she became a pioneer not just in science, but also in advocating for women’s intellectual equality. Her legacy continues to inspire as a symbol of brilliance, perseverance, and courage in the pursuit of knowledge.

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