The Analytical Theory Of Light

Author : James Walker
Publisher : Forgotten Books
ISBN 13 : 9781440092886
Total Pages : 440 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (928 download)

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Download or read book The Analytical Theory of Light written by James Walker and published by Forgotten Books. This book was released on 2015-06-25 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from The Analytical Theory of Light In the following pages an attempt is made to give an account of physical optics without having recourse to any hypothesis respecting the nature of the influence that constitutes light or the character of the medium in which it is propagated. From a few simple experimental facts it is shown that a stream of light may be represented by a periodically varying vector transverse to the direction of the beam, and on this result, with an appeal where necessary to experimental facts, the treatment of the subject is based. An abstract wave-theory cannot of course satisfy our requirements or be regarded as the last word of science on physical optics; but as it is the touchstone on which optical theories are tried, a thorough knowledge of its teachings is essential as a preparation for penetrating below the surface of ascertained facts into the domain of hypothesis. No one optical theory can at present be said to hold the field so completely as to render a consideration of others unnecessary, and so long as that is the case, much that is of value in preparing the ground for a solution of the problem may be learned from the various attempts that have been made to apply methods of ethereal physics to the explanation of the phenomena of light. The introduction of the salient points of these endeavours would have had the effect of veiling by wealth of material the main purpose of the book. As the object kept in view has been to give an account of the analytical development of the wave-theory that might serve as an introduction to the study of higher optics, experimental methods and results have been introduced only with a sparing hand. Ample information on the descriptive side of the subject is to be found in books readily accessible to students, and it is for those that have already made an acquaintance with physical optics that the present work is intended. A detailed knowledge of instruments and of experimental methods can only be acquired in a physical laboratory. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.