The Scientific Revolution

Optics

His work in optics was every bit as important as his work in mathematics or astronomy. He built excellent telescopes. Most importantly, he explained the nature of light and of prisms.

It was Newton who first understood why a prism throws multiple colors. He created careful experiments and was able to show that a prism refracts light at differing angles and that normal light is in fact comprised of all the colors of the rainbow.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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