Theory of light and colours
Date
9 December 1675
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p238
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 369mm
width (page): 232mm
width (page): 232mm
Subject
Description
This paper, elaborating on his theory of light, was enclosed in a letter by Isaac Newton to Henry Oldenburg dated 7 December 1675 and read at the meeting on 9 December 1675.
Diagram shows refraction of light through different densities of air.
This diagram is copied from RBO/5/076.
Diagram shows refraction of light through different densities of air.
This diagram is copied from RBO/5/076.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 9 December 1675, ‘There was produced a manuscript of Mr. Newton, touching his theory of light and colours, containing partly an hypothesis to explain the properties of light discoursed of by him in his former papers, partly the principal phaenomena of the various colours exhibited by thin plates or bubbles, esteemed by him to be of a more difficult consideration; yet to depend also on the said properties of light. Of the hypothesis only the first part was read, giving an account of refraction, reflection, transparency, and opacity; the second part explaining colours being referred to the next meeting’ (Birch 3:247). It was continued to be read on 16 December 1675. The text and diagram of the first paper are printed in Birch 3:247-60 and 262-69.
Related fellows
Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727, British) , Natural philosopher
Associated place