Revealing the nature of the final image in Newton's experimentum crucis

Abstract

In his crucial prism experiment, Newton noted the position of the final image, but not its shape or coloring. Most scholars describe the image as a single-colored representation of the selective aperture; some report multiple colors. When the experiment is re-enacted as the transformation of a camera obscura image, it becomes clear that the final image is a rainbow-colored representation of the outside world. Backward ray tracing enhances Newton's demonstration of diverse refrangibility. Using a projector, teachers can easily bring this historical experiment into the classroom and build a bridge to modern applications in hyperspectral imaging and spectral encoding.

The colours of Newton’sOpticks: a high-performance project for motivated students

“…However, to the additional aim of devising a historically informed activity was no less significant, given our firm belief that the history of physics provides an exceptional basis from which to promote science, even at the most complex level. Last but not least, the subject of Newton's theory of light and colours still encourages debate in research terms to this day (see references [29,30] and references therein), although we show it here for the first time (to the best of our knowledge) in connection to teaching and the popularization of science.…”

The colours of Newton's Opticks: an advanced project for excellent students

“…However, no less a role was played by the purpose to plot a historically informed activity, given the firm belief that the History of Physics gives an exceptional chance in promoting science even at a deep level. Last but not least, indeed, the subject of Newton's theory of light and colours still entertains a current research debate (see Ref.s [25,26] and references therein), although we here present it for the first time (to the best of our knowledge) in connection to didactics and science popularization.…”

Diffusion Fails to Make a Stink

“…One of the most natural applications of mathematical modelling is to understand the sensory faculties through which we experience the world. Newton's use of a bodkin to deform the back of his eyeball 11,12 was one of many experiments performed to confirm his theory of optics [13][14][15] . Indeed, the experience of both sight and sound have been extensively contextualised by the mathematics of optics [16][17][18][19] and acoustics [20][21][22][23] .…”