Observations on theory of light and colours
Date
20 January 1676
Creator
Unknown, Artist
After
Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727, British) , Natural philosopher
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p109
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 363mm
width (page): 225mm
width (page): 225mm
Subject
Description
Circles of light seen without a prism (the first concentric circles) and with a prism, and the changing position due to the prism.
The paper was read before the Royal Society on 20 January and 3 February 1676, and was subsequently incorporated into Newton's Opticks (1704).
The paper was read before the Royal Society on 20 January and 3 February 1676, and was subsequently incorporated into Newton's Opticks (1704).
Transcription
To explaine this a little further suppose the concentrick circles AB & CD represent the red and violet of any order, which together with the intermediate colours constitute any one of these RIngs. Now these being viewed through a Prisme the violet circle BC will by a greater refraction be further translated from its place then de Red AD, ad so approach nearer to it on that side towards which the refractions are made.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 20 January 1676, ‘There was also read the beginning of Mr. Newton’s discourse, containing such observations, as conduce the further discoveries for completing his theory of light and colours, especially as to the constitution of natural bodies, on which their colours or transparency depend: in which he describes first the principal of his observations, and then considers and makes uses of them. At this time there were read the first fifteen of those observations as follows’ (Birch 3:272). The text and figures are printed in Birch 3:272-79. The remainder of the paper was read on 3 February 1676. The text and figures are printed in Birch 3:280-95.
Printed as Fig. 7 on Plate 2 from Book 2 of Isaac Newton, Opticks, or a treatise of the reflections, refractions, inflexions and colours of light (London: 1704).
Printed as Fig. 7 on Plate 2 from Book 2 of Isaac Newton, Opticks, or a treatise of the reflections, refractions, inflexions and colours of light (London: 1704).
Related fellows
Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727, British) , Natural philosopher
Associated place