The father of modern optics, Abu Ali Hasan Ibn al-Haitham was one of the most eminent physicists, whose contributions to optics and the scientific methods are outstanding. His scientific pursuits, included Optics, Mathematics, Physics, Medicine and development of scientific methods on each of which he has several outstanding books.
He discovered the laws of refraction and carried out the first experiments on the dispersion of light into its constituent colours. His book Kitab al-Manazir was translated into Latin in the Middle Ages. In this work, he rejected the then, popular idea that eyes give out light rays. Instead, he correctly deduced that eyes work when light rays enter the eye from outside.
He dealt at length with the theory of various physical phenomenons like shadows, eclipses, the rainbow and speculated on the physical nature of light. He is the first to describe accurately the various parts of the eye and give the scientific explanation of the process of vision. He also attempted to explain binocular vision and gave the correct explanation of apparent increase in the size of sun and moon when near the horizon. He is known for the earliest use of camera obscura.
His research on catoptrics centered on spherical and parabolic mirrors and spherical aberration. He made the important observation that the ratio between the angle of incidence and refraction does not remain constant and investigated the magnifying power of a lens.
In his book Mizan al-Hikmah, Ibn al-Haitham has discussed the density of the atmosphere and studied atmospheric refraction. He discovered the twilight only ceases and begins when the sun is 19° below the horizon. In Mathematics, he developed analytical geometry by establishing linkage between algebra and geometry. The list of his books runs to 200 or so.
He discovered the laws of refraction and carried out the first experiments on the dispersion of light into its constituent colours. His book Kitab al-Manazir was translated into Latin in the Middle Ages. In this work, he rejected the then, popular idea that eyes give out light rays. Instead, he correctly deduced that eyes work when light rays enter the eye from outside.
He dealt at length with the theory of various physical phenomenons like shadows, eclipses, the rainbow and speculated on the physical nature of light. He is the first to describe accurately the various parts of the eye and give the scientific explanation of the process of vision. He also attempted to explain binocular vision and gave the correct explanation of apparent increase in the size of sun and moon when near the horizon. He is known for the earliest use of camera obscura.
His research on catoptrics centered on spherical and parabolic mirrors and spherical aberration. He made the important observation that the ratio between the angle of incidence and refraction does not remain constant and investigated the magnifying power of a lens.
In his book Mizan al-Hikmah, Ibn al-Haitham has discussed the density of the atmosphere and studied atmospheric refraction. He discovered the twilight only ceases and begins when the sun is 19° below the horizon. In Mathematics, he developed analytical geometry by establishing linkage between algebra and geometry. The list of his books runs to 200 or so.
0 comments:
Post a Comment