FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   >>  
nd C remains attached; and the part _bc_ by the evolute of the portion _b_E while the end E remains attached. Consequently the same wave becomes _def_, then _ghk_, and finally CY, from whence it subsequently spreads without any fold, but always along curved lines which are evolutes of the curve ENC, increased by some straight line at the end C. There is even, in this curve, a part EN which is straight, N being the point where the perpendicular from the centre X of the sphere falls upon the refraction of the ray DE, which I now suppose to touch the sphere. The folding of the waves of light begins from the point N up to the end of the curve C, which point is formed by taking AC to CX in the proportion of the refraction, as here 3 to 2. As many other points as may be desired in the curve NC are found by a Theorem which Mr. Barrow has demonstrated in section 12 of his _Lectiones Opticae_, though for another purpose. And it is to be noted that a straight line equal in length to this curve can be given. For since it together with the line NE is equal to the line CK, which is known, since DE is to AK in the proportion of the refraction, it appears that by deducting EN from CK the remainder will be equal to the curve NC. Similarly the waves that are folded back in reflexion by a concave spherical mirror can be found. Let ABC be the section, through the axis, of a hollow hemisphere, the centre of which is D, its axis being DB, parallel to which I suppose the rays of light to come. All the reflexions of those rays which fall upon the quarter-circle AB will touch a curved line AFE, of which line the end E is at the focus of the hemisphere, that is to say, at the point which divides the semi-diameter BD into two equal parts. The points through which this curve ought to pass are found by taking, beyond A, some arc AO, and making the arc OP double the length of it; then dividing the chord OP at F in such wise that the part FP is three times the part FO; for then F is one of the required points. [Illustration] And as the parallel rays are merely perpendiculars to the waves which fall on the concave surface, which waves are parallel to AD, it will be found that as they come successively to encounter the surface AB, they form on reflexion folded waves composed of two curves which originate from two opposite evolutions of the parts of the curve AFE. So, taking AD as an incident wave, when the part AG shall have met the surfac
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   84   85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   >>  



Top keywords:

points

 

taking

 

parallel

 

refraction

 

straight

 

suppose

 
hemisphere
 

concave

 

reflexion

 

folded


length
 

section

 

proportion

 

surface

 

curved

 

remains

 

centre

 

sphere

 
attached
 

opposite


encounter

 
originate
 

curves

 

evolutions

 

reflexions

 
composed
 

surfac

 
hollow
 

incident

 

quarter


divides

 

making

 

required

 

double

 

dividing

 

mirror

 

diameter

 
successively
 

perpendiculars

 

Illustration


circle
 
increased
 

evolutes

 
folding
 
begins
 
perpendicular
 

Consequently

 

portion

 

evolute

 

subsequently