The Problem of Reflection in Eighteenth-Century Projectile Theories of Light

Autor(es)

Arsioli Moura, Breno ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Fed Univ ABC, Ctr Nat & Human Sci, Ave Estados 5001, BR-09210580 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PHYSICS IN PERSPECTIVE; v. 22, n. 4 DEC 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

This paper explores the mechanical models elaborated by projectile theorists throughout the eighteenth century to explain the reflection of light. Influenced by Isaac Newton's Opticks, these projectile theorists proposed that repulsion was the cause of reflection. My purpose is to show that their models were not unified and lacked a deeper understanding of the origin of repulsive powers. This analysis illustrates how a simple optical phenomenon was not easy for eighteenth-century theorists to explain, even when the projectile theory of light was prominent among natural philosophers. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/04366-2 - A história da óptica no século XVIII: uma análise crítica das teorias sobre luz e cores na Europa e nos Estados Unidos
• Beneficiário: Breno Arsioli Moura
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Pesquisa