Lo spettro di newton. La rivelazione della luce e dei colori

Contrary to what is usually claimed, Newton's theory of light and colour is not a coherent and unified conceptual structure that remained unchanged from the beginning until its final formulation in the Opticks (1704). Newton's discovery of the composite nature of light was the result of research work, both experimental and theoretical, that took place over a very long period of time (from 1664 to 1704), and was marked by continuous verifications, approximations and significant changes. The book traces this long and complex journey through Newton's early writings, his passionate research activities and the criticism of his opponents.