Opticks
Opticks, published in 1704, is Isaac Newton's account of thirty years of experiments on light, written in English rather than Latin and in prose that ordinary readers could follow. Its three books report what he had done with prisms and lenses in his Cambridge rooms: the proof that white light is a mixture of rays of different colors and refrangibility, the explanation of the rainbow, the design of a reflecting telescope, the colored rings in thin plates that bear his name, and the inflection of light passing close to bodies. The work ends with the Queries, a series of questions in which Newton speculates on the nature of light, heat, gravity, and the ether, and which later editions enlarged. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Opticks
Opticks by Isaac Newton can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Opticks online?
Yes. Opticks opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Opticks free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Opticks is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Opticks in the public domain?
Yes. Opticks by Isaac Newton is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Opticks?
About 6 h 42 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Opticks?
Opticks by Isaac Newton is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
