Memoir Historical Investigation for Isaac Newton By
Mandana Vakil
Primary Source:
This photograph is of “A Proof by Isaac Newton” which I found on Image Quest. It is written in Latin and does not have a date of issue. The picture contains a description of some difficult geometry problem, its solution and a labelled diagram for a better understanding and presentation of his proof. I chose this source, since it connects to my book. It shows that Isaac Newton explained his scientific discoveries using the scientific method and always gave proof for his findings by supporting his way of thinking.
Secondary Source I chose an article titled “Isaac Newton” by Lance Morrow as my secondary source, which I found on MAS Ultra – School Edition. It was published by the periodical Time on the 31st of December, 1999. This text presents Isaac Newton as the most important and exceptional scientist of the seventeenth century. This is an excerpt from the article: “Newton is the man of the century for this reason: by imagining--and proving--a rational universe, he in effect redesigned the human mind. Newton gave it not only intellectual tools undreamed of before, but with them, unprecedented self-confidence and ambition. If Shakespeare incomparably enlarged humanity's conception of itself, Newton--working later, in the turmoil of the English civil war and Restoration--set in place those cooler universals that were the premise of the 18th century's Age of Reason and the dynamic of the 19th century's age of revolutions--industrial, political and social.”
This article is connected to my book, since it tells more about the life of Isaac Newton, his discoveries and achievements. It explains in depth the impact of his study and work on science, optics and mathematics, which made him one of the greatest scientists of all time. This is why it connects to my book about Newton.
Summary and Review: “Isaac Newton” a book from the series “Giants of Science” by Kathleen Krull is a very interesting, fun to read biography about Isaac Newton, who was one of the greatest physicians, mathematicians and astronomers. At the beginning, the author reveals the main character’s lonely and isolated childhood, which was what propelled him to always keep thinking. Kathleen Krull continues to disclose the world and life of Isaac Newton in depth and explain his enormous scientific discoveries, so everyone can understand them easily. I think that someone else would enjoy this biography, since the book “Isaac Newton” by Katherine Krull is written in a simple language, that makes Newton’s explanations of difficult and sometimes complicated scientific problems, easy to understand. This quote supports my statement: “Sunlight may appear white. But Newton proved that white light is made up of colors mixed together: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. (Black is the absence of light.) What the prism did was separate white light into the different colors of light. Thus, Newton was the first person to really understand the rainbow.” Furthermore, this story contains short and simple, but interesting descriptions. It does not focus on the complicated scientific arguments too much. Focusing on the most important information, Kathleen Krull makes the story amusing. The following passage is a very simple piece of background information. The author did not dwell on the topic very long. This excerpt taken from the book is a good example as my argument: “The Bubonic Plague, or Black Death, was a disgusting, painful, highly contagious disease. Periodically it would sweep through countries, killing millions. In the outbreak of 1348, the plague had killed one of every four people in Europe. Early symptoms were flulike – fever, aches – followed by the telltale sign: ugly black swellings in the armpits. Death usually came in a few days.”
Memoir:
Face to Face with a Dilemma “Are you sure, Professor Newton?” Thomas asked. “Yes, I have no doubts. There is no other explanation,” I replied firmly. “I came to this conclusion a long time ago. Since then I am just reviewing it over and over again to be sure that everything makes sense, even though I know it does,” I added summarizing my argument. In my room at Cambridge University, Thomas Harloyle was sitting in front of me in a comfortable armchair. His gentle eyes watched me attentively. “If so, why don’t you publish your finding?” Thomas wanted to know a reason which was stopping me from the publication. “This discovery will be a real revolution in the world of natural philosophy1. Don’t you think that my article might raise many voices of criticism among natural philosophers?” I expected a confirmation of my doubts from Thomas. “What’s wrong with criticism?” he asked. An awkward silence filled the room. A fly was buzzing in the corner. “Thomas, I cannot stand any kind of criticism,” my voice finally bounced against the walls breaking the silence. Touched by my own weakness, I knew that Thomas was at my side and I had his support.
1
In the days of Isaac Newton, science was called natural philosophy (a scientist – a natural philosopher).
“Well, I have to think about it again. A short walk will do me some good,” Thomas sighed, standing up. “I should be back soon,” he added. “Of course. I’ll wait here for you,” I quietly responded as I heard the door shut behind him. Unexpectedly, all my thoughts and doubts concerning the publishing of my discovery were replaced by those of the sunny afternoon at Woolsthorpe Manor, where my study on light began… *** During my extremely productive year at Woolsthorpe, not only did I discover the laws of motion, but I also conducted research on light. My findings were quite spectacular. One day, strolling in the orchard, I was admiring the apple trees. They were blooming nicely last spring and now their branches sagged under the weight of their rosy children. I strode forward to pick one of them when something caught my eye. In the grass, an object glittered. Curious, I picked it up and directed towards the sun. It was a piece of glass. Slowly, I started to turn it in my fingers. The spotlight, in which I held this glass, was undoubtedly white; however the light that came out on the other side of it certainly was not. This phenomenon was surprising and completely astonishing. The white light became lots of different colors: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. “A rainbow,” I whispered and pondered, “How is this possible?” So, this simple question inspired my curiosity and led to my study on light.
Fascinated, I decided to return to my laboratory. Entering the attic, which was covered by soft dust, just like an apple pie sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar, I noticed that the candle on my desk was flickering life. It cast a faint beam on the wall, which had paint peeling just like scaly skin. “Better not forget next time, or there might be a fire!” I warned myself. I sat at the desk and stared at the piece of glass, marveling at the magic it did in the sunlight. However, I never believed in magic. I was convinced that the phenomenon could be explained reasonably using a logical reasoning. My eyes were focused intently on the piece of glass just like a predator when it is assessing its prey. It took me some time to understand and explain this phenomenon. I noticed that when a beam of light struck the surface of the glass prism at different angles, some was reflected while some passed into and through the glass forming a spectrum of colors. I hypothesized that light was made out of different color particles and that these particles moved with different speeds in transparent matter. Since the red light moved faster in glass than violet, it refracted less sharply than violet while passing through the prism. The spectrum of colors also called a rainbow was the result of this process, visible on… A knock on the door abruptly scattered my thoughts. Thomas had returned. “I pondered over your argument, Isaac, and I came to the conclusion that it is coherent and reliable,” Thomas started to talk crossing the threshold. “In my opinion you should publish your discovery. Here are some letters for you which I picked up downstairs from one of your students.” I took the letters from Thomas and began to flip through them. My eyes widened at an envelope from the Royal Society. I considered whether to open it or
not. Finally I did. As my eyes skimmed through the letter, a smile popped up on my face. “Is everything all right, Isaac?” asked Thomas. “Yes, it couldn’t be better. This letter from the Royal Society,” I waved the envelope, “contains a positive response and congratulations toward my latest constructed telescope. You’re right, Thomas,” I exclaimed. “I have to publish my findings about light!” “Hence, write a letter! I’ll wait and take it to the Royal Society with your article,” Thomas suggested. “That’s a wonderful idea!” I exclaimed again. Motivated by Thomas’s encouraging attitude and a positive response from the Royal Society, I grabbed my quill and a parchment, and wrote down the letter. After a while, I fixed my seal on the envelope and handed it to Thomas. “The Royal Society will receive this today,” he promised swinging the letter. “Thank you, my friend,” I told him shaking his hand. I knew that no words could express my gratitude. I watched through the window, as Thomas departed for London with my article, which would be published later in the Royal Society’s Philosophical Transactions. I never regretted my decision.
Works Cited A Proof By Isaac Newton. Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 14 Oct 2012.http://quest.eb.com/images/139_2010411 Morrow, Lance. “Isaac Newton.” Time 154.27 (1999): 166. MAS Ultra – School Edition. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. Krull, Kathleen, and Boris Kulikov. Isaac Newton. New York: Viking, 2006. Print. "Isaac Newton." Booktopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://www.google.pl/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1600&bih=775&tbm=isch&tb nid=OidyESboYMUPGM:&imgrefurl=http://www.booktopia.com.au/isaacnewton/prod9780670059218.html&docid=hlpbvyEYm2RDM&itg=1&imgurl=http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9780670059218/isaacnewton.jpg&w=262&h=400&ei=3dKgUKiOF8fZtAbcyoFo&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=674 &vpy=361&dur=1537&hovh=278&hovw=182&tx=83&ty=156&sig=104375938901211 899114&page=1&tbnh=147&tbnw=98&start=0&ndsp=45&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:0,i:117>.