Fits, passions, and paroxysms : physics, method, and chemistry and Newton’s theories of colored bodies and fits of easy reflection

Building Upon His Pioneering Investigation Of The Colors Of Thin Films, Isaac Newton Developed Two Influential Theories, One On The Structure Of Matter, Explaining The Colors 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Editor Of The Optical Papers Of Isaac Newton, Recounts The Development Of These Theories Based On His Study Of Newton's Unpublished Manuscripts, And Analyzes Their Experimental Foundation.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 Vigorous Dispute Over Newton's Theory Of Colored Bodies Waged By Physicists And Chemists For Nearly Fifty Years, From The Late Eighteenth To The Early Nineteenth Century. Professor Shapiro's Analysis Of This Previously Unknown Dispute And Of The Reasons For The Chemists' Attack On Newton's Theory Illuminates The Nature And Relation Of Physics And Chemistry During This Seminal Period Of Their Development. Frequently Cited Writings By Newton -- Pt. I. Physics And Method: Newton's Theories Of Colored Bodies And Fits. 1. Historical And Philosophical Background. 1.1. Introduction, Historiographical And Historical. 1.2. Hypotheses And The Guest For Certainty. 1.3. Transduction. 2. Newton's Rings. 2.1. Newton, Hooke, And The Colors Of Thin Films. 2.2. Observations Of Newton's Rings. 2.3. The Hypothesis Of Aethereal Vibrations. 2.4. Describing Newton's Rings: The Nomograph. 3. The Colors Of Natural Bodies. 3.1. Boyle's Considerations And Hooke's Hypothesis. 3.2. Newton's Phenomenological Theory. 3.3. Newton's Analogical Theory. 3.4. No Rational Doubts. 4. The Theory Of Fits. 4.1. Completing The Opticks. 4.2. The Colors Of Thick Plates. 4.3. From Vibrations To Fits. 4.4. The Formal Theory. 4.5. Conclusion And Historical Postscript -- Pt. Ii. Physics And Chemistry: The Theory Of Colored Bodies, The Chemists' Revolt, And Absorption Spectroscopy. 5. The Glory Years: 1704-1777. Alan E. Shapiro. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 370-390) And Index. Preface Abbreviated references Frequently cited writings by Newton Part I. Physics and Method: Newton's theories of coloured bodies and fits: 1. Historical and philosophical background 2. Newton's rings 3. The colours of natural bodies 4. The theory of fits Part II. Physics and Chemistry: the theory of coloured bodies, the chemists' revolt and absorption spectroscopy: 5. The glory years: 1704-1777 6. The chemistry of light in France: 1776-1790 7. The chemical philosophy in Britain: 1785-1815 8. Debate and absorption spectroscopy in France: 1791-1816 9. Absorption spectroscopy in Britain: 1822-1833 Appendices Bibliography Index. Professor Alan Shapiro, editor of The Optical Papers of Issac Newton, recounts the development of Newton's theories of the structure of matter and of fits from his pioneering study on the colours of thin films. He also describes a vigourous dispute over Newton's theory of coloured bodies waged by physicists and chemists for nearly fifty years.