Model illustrating the Surface of Luminous Waves

Made:
1876 in Paris
maker:
Charles Delagrave, Charles
Plaster model, after Fresnel

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Plaster model, after Fresnel
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Plaster model, after Fresnel, to illustrate the surface of luminous waves - in 3 parts

Surface models were used to illustrate physical phenomena as well as purely mathematical concepts. August Fresnel (1788-1827) proposed his wave theory of light in the 1830s. The surface represents a wavefront of light radiating from a point in a crystal and consists of two shells which touch each other at four points.

Details

Category:
Mathematics
Object Number:
1876-435
Materials:
plaster-of-Paris
Measurements:
overall (closed): 165 mm x 310 mm x 230 mm, 5.406 kg
type:
surface model and mathematical model