when = and then

[sitifan]

1. What is the force that causes the moon to move about the earth? Newton said the answer came to him while he was sitting in a garden. He was thinking about this question when an apple fell to the ground. (PSSC, Physics)
2. What is the force that causes the moon to move about the earth? Newton said the answer came to him while he was sitting in a garden. When he was thinking about this question, an apple fell to the ground. (by a Taiwanese teacher of English)
#1 is supposed to be correct. Is #2 also acceptable?

 

[5jj]

What has this question got to do with your thread title?

 

[sitifan]

In the first passage, I think "when" means "and then."

 

[5jj]

It doesn't.

When suggests that one thing happens at the same time as another, and then that one thing happens after another.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, 1 and 2 are equivalent in meaning.

 

[SoothingDave]

I prefer "while" in the second sentence.