History of the Principle of Interference of Light

The controversy between the wave theory and the emission theory of light early in the nineteenth century has been a subject of numerous studies. Yet many is­ sues remain unclear, in particular, the reasons for rejecting Young's theory of light. It appears

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Edited by Erwin Hiebert and Hans WuBing Editorial Board S. M. R. Ansari, Aligarh D. Barkan, Cambridge H.J.M.Bos, Utrecht U. Bottazzini, Bologna J. Z. Buchwald, Toronto S. S. Demidov, Moskva J. Dhombres, Nantes J. Dobrzycki, Warszawa Fan Dainian, Beijing E. A. Fellmann, Basel M. Folkerts, Munchen P. Galison, Stanford 1. Grattan-Guinness, Bengeo J. Gray, Milton Keynes

R. Halleux, Licge S. Hildebrandt, Bonn E. Knobloch, Berlin Ch. Meinel, Berlin G. K. Mikhailov, Moskva S. Nakayama, Tokyo L. Novy, Praha D. Pingree, Providence W. Purkert, Leipzig J. S. Rigden, New York D. Rowe, Pleasantville A. 1. Sabra, Cambridge R. H. Stuewer, Minneapolis V. P. Vizgin, Moskva

Springer Basel AG

Nahum Kipnis

History of the Principle of Interference of Light

Springer Basel AG

Nahum Kipnis The Bakken 3537 Zenith Ave. So. Minneapolis, MN 55416 USA

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Kipnis, Nahum S. History of the principle of interference of light/Nahum Kipnis. p. cm. - (Science networks historical studies; v. 5) Revision ofthesis (Ph. D.) - University of Minnesota, 1984. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-3-0348-9717-4 ISBN 978-3-0348-8652-9 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-0348-8652-9 1. Interference (Light) - History. 2. Optics - History - 19th century. 3. Young, Thomas, 1773-1829.1. Title. II. Series. QC41l.K53 1990 535.4- dc20 CIP-Titelaufnahme der Deutschen Bibliothek

Kipnis, Nahum: History ofthe principle of interference of lightlNahum Kipnis. - Basel; Boston; Berlin: Birkhiiuser, 1990 (Science networks historical studies; VoI. 5) ISBN 978-3-0348-9717-4 NE:GT This work is subject to copyright. Ali rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concemed, specifically those of translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, broadcasting, reproduction by photocopying machine or similar means, and storage in data banks. Unter § 54 of the German Copyright Law where copies are made for other than private use a fee is payable to "Verwertungsgesellschaft Wort", Munich. © 1991 Springer Basel AG Originally published by Birkhliuser Verlag, Basel in 1991 Softcover reprint ofthe hardcover Ist edition 1991 ISBN 978-3-0348-9717-4

Contents

11

Preface Chapter I

Interference: historiography and physics

1.1 The "mystery" of Young's theory 1.2 New approach 1.3

What is "Young's wave theory"?

1.4 "Interference" or "superposition"? 1.5 What is the "acceptance of a theory"? Chapter II

Thomas Young and the problem of intersecting sounds

Section I:

Young

11.1 What did Young discover about interference? 11.2 Young on interference of sound Section II:

11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 11.9 Chapter III

111.1 111.2 111.3 111.4

Youngs predecessors

Reinforcement of sound Destruction of sound Do intersecting sound waves interact? Mathematical approach to independence of sound Harmonics The third sound Summary Young on interference of mechanical waves

Standing waves Tides Coherence of mechanical waves Response to the concept of interference of sound a) Robison b) Gough c) Laterresponse 111.5 Summary

1