Revival of the Wave Theory of Light in the Early Nineteenth Century
Overview
The nature of light is a very old issue in the history of science, dating back at least to Greek times. The prevalent belief among eighteenth-century natural philosophers was that light was made up of particles, not waves. The revival of the wave theory of light in the early nineteenth century is largely a tale of two cities, with Thomas Young (1773-1829)discovering the law of interference in London followed by the development of the mathematical wave theory by Augustin Fresnel (1788-1827) in Paris. The rise of the wave theory during the first three decades of the century is often regarded as a revolution in science. It exemplified a new style of scientific reasoning, with abstract mathematical models taking precedence over intuitive mechanical analogies for light. The ensuing debate on the validity of the new theory led to a closer examination of the standards and goals of scientific research. The domain of optics was redefined during this time, with the study of the physical aspects of light coming to be recognized as important for its own sake, apart from its relevance for theology or vision.
Background
Light and vision were intimately connected to the ancient Greeks and Arabs.
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