Fits, Passions and Paroxysms: Physics, Method and Chemistry and Newton's Theories of Colored Bodies and Fits of Easy Reflection

by Alan E. Shapiro

• ISBN13: 9780521117555
• ISBN10: 0521117550
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-07-30
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Building 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editor of The Optical Papers of Isaac Newton, recounts the development of these theories based on his study of Newton's unpublished manuscripts and analyses their experimental foundation.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.

Table of Contents

Preface

Abbreviated references

Frequently cited writings by Newton

Physics and Method: Newton's theories of coloured bodies and fits

Historical and philosophical background

Newton's rings

The colours of natural bodies

The theory of fits

Physics and Chemistry: the theory of coloured bodies, the chemists' revolt and absorption spectroscopy

The glory years: 1704-ô1777

The chemistry of light in France: 1776-ô1790

The chemical philosophy in Britain: 1785-ô1815

Debate and absorption spectroscopy in France: 1791-ô1816

Absorption spectroscopy in Britain: 1822-ô1833

Appendices

Bibliography

Index

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