Newton. Huygens. (Britannica: Great Books of the Western World) Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (Newton). Optics (Newton). Treatise on Light (Huygens).
From the outstanding collection of one of the most sought out and respected series ever published by Encyclopedia Britannica. This is the 1st edition. 1952. Full leather bound, smyth sewn. The lettering on the spine is gilted. Condition: Good. (see all images). Light wear on the base of the spine. No markings on pages. Edited with the advice of The University of Chicago. 850g, 17x24x3cm
These works are seminal in the history of physics and optics. Together, they represent key developments in the study of physics and optics, with Newton's contributions solidifying the foundations of classical mechanics and Huygens advancing the wave theory of light.
Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica) by Isaac Newton (1687) - Often referred to simply as the Principia, this work lays the foundation for classical mechanics. Newton formulates the laws of motion and universal gravitation, offering a unified description of celestial and terrestrial phenomena. The Principia is crucial for its development of the mathematical framework that underpins classical physics and its profound influence on the scientific revolution.
Optics by Isaac Newton (1704) - In this work, Newton explores the nature of light and color, presenting his theory of color based on the observation that a prism can decompose white light into a spectrum of colors. He also discusses the particle theory of light and the phenomenon of dispersion. Optics is important for its contributions to the understanding of light and color and for laying the groundwork for the later development of optical science.
Treatise on Light (Traité de la Lumière) by Christiaan Huygens (1690) - In this treatise, Huygens presents his wave theory of light, which proposes that light behaves as a wave and explains phenomena such as refraction and interference. Huygens's principle, which describes how wavefronts propagate, was pivotal in the development of wave optics. The Treatise on Light is important for its contribution to the wave theory of light and for challenging the particle theory that Newton advocated.
