Fits, Passions and Paroxysms: Physics, Method and Chemistry and Newton's Theories of Colored Bodies and Fits of Easy ReflectionBuilding upon his pioneering investigation of the colours of thin films, Isaac Newton developed two influential theories, one on the structure of matter, explaining the colours of bodies and the other on fits, describing the periodicity of light. Professor Alan Shapiro, editor of The Optical Papers of Isaac Newton, recounts the development of these theories based on his study of Newton's unpublished manuscripts and analyses their experimental foundation. He also shows the essential role that Newton's philosophy of science played in the formulation and reception of these theories. The second part of the book describes a vigourous dispute over Newton's theory of coloured bodies waged by physicists and chemists for nearly fifty years, from the late eighteenth century to the early nineteenth century. Professor Shapiro's analysis of this previously unknown dispute and of the reasons for the chemist's attack on Newton's theory illuminates the nature and relation of physics and chemistry during this seminal period of their development. |
Contents
Newtons rings | 49 |
The colors of natural bodies | 98 |
The theory of fits | 136 |
THE THEORY | 209 |
17761790 | 242 |
17851815 | 268 |
18221833 | 330 |
Jordans criticism of transduction in Newtons | 363 |
370 | |
391 | |
Other editions - View all
Fits, Passions and Paroxysms: Physics, Method and Chemistry and Newton's ... Alan E. Shapiro No preview available - 2009 |
Fits, Passions and Paroxysms: Physics, Method and Chemistry and Newton's ... Alan E. Shapiro No preview available - 1993 |
Common terms and phrases
absorption spectra aether affinities analogical theory analogy appeared Berthollet Biot blue Book Brewster cause century chemical chemistry of light chemists colored bodies colors of bodies colors of thin coloured circles concept concluded corpuscles corpuscular Delaval Delaval's demonstrated density draft dyeing emission theory evidence experimental experiments explain fits of easy glass green Hassenfratz Haüy Herschel Hooke Hooke's Hypothesis Ibid investigation italics added Jean Senebier light particles mathematical matter mechanical mechanical philosophy memoir Micrographia mixed mathematics natural bodies natural philosophy Newton's rings Newton's theory Newtonian nomograph obliquity Observations opaque Opoix optical paper phenomena phlogiston physical physicists pores Prieur Principia principles prism Prop propositions rays reflection and transmission refraction second surface selective absorption Senebier spectrum substances theory of colored theory of fits theory of light thick plates thin films ton's Traité transduction transmitted vibration length violet wave theory yellow