He explained ideas such as motion (and gravity) with the theory of four elements. Aristotle believed that each of the four classical elements (air, fire, water, earth) had its own natural place. Because of their differing densities, each element will revert to its own specific place in the atmosphere. So, because of their weights, fire would be at the top, air underneath fire, then water, then lastly earth. He also stated that when a small amount of one element enters the natural place of another, the less abundant element will automatically go towards its own natural place. For example, if there is a fire on the ground, the flames go up into the air in an attempt to go back into its natural place where it belongs. His laws of motion included: that heavier objects will fall faster, the speed being proportional to the weight and the speed of the object that is falling depends inversely on the density object it is falling through (e.g. density of air). He also stated that, when it comes to violent motion (motion of an object when a force is applied to it by a second object) that the speed that object moves, will only be as fast or strong as the measure of force applied to it. The problem of motion and its causes was studied carefully, leading to the philosophical notion of a "prime mover" as the ultimate source of all motion in the world (Book 8 of his treatise Physics).
he explained ideas such as motion (and gravity) with the theory of four elements aristotle believed that each of the four classical elements (air fire water earth) had its own natural place because of their differing densities each element will revert to its own specific place in the atmosphere so because of their weights fire would be at the top air underneath fire then water then lastly earth he also stated that when a small amount of one element enters the natural place of another the less abundant element will automatically go towards its own natural place for example if there is a fire on the ground the flames go up into the air in an attempt to go back into its natural place where it belongs his laws of motion included that heavier objects will fall faster the speed being proportional to the weight and the speed of the object that is falling depends inversely on the density object it is falling through (eg density of air) he also stated that when it comes to violent motion (motion of an object when a force is applied to it by a second object) that the speed that object moves will only be as fast or strong as the measure of force applied to it the problem of motion and its causes was studied carefully leading to the philosophical notion of a "prime mover" as the ultimate source of all motion in the world (book 8 of his treatise physics)