Opticks : $b or, A treatise of the reflections, refractions, inflections and colours of light

"Opticks: or, A Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections and Colours of Light" by Sir Isaac Newton is a scientific publication written in the early 18th century. This work elaborates on the properties of light, showcasing experimental findings related to reflection and refraction, and laying the foundation for the study of optics. The treatise is notable for its methodical approach, emphasizing reasoning and experimental evidence over mere hypothesis in understanding the behavior of light. The opening of the book sets the stage by outlining Newton's intent to avoid speculative explanations and instead focus on empirical evidence. He introduces several essential definitions and axioms, establishing foundational concepts such as the nature of light rays, refrangibility, reflexibility, and other essential properties of light and optics. Additionally, he hints at various experiments that will illustrate these principles, thereby inviting readers into a logical exploration of how light behaves when it interacts with different mediums. The groundwork laid in this introduction reveals Newton's commitment to precision in scientific discourse and positions this work as a pivotal moment in the history of physics. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Isaac Newton was an English polymath active as a mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author who was described in his time as a natural philosopher. He was a key figure in the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment that followed. His pioneering book Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, first published in 1687, consolidated many previous results and established classical mechanics. Newton also made seminal contributions to optics, and shares credit with German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz for formulating infinitesimal calculus, though he developed calculus years before Leibniz.