Sketch of Prof. John Le Conte, Sensitive Flames and Sound-Shadows

Walter le Conte Stevens

ISBN 10: 1332348432 / ISBN 13: 9781332348435

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. Step into the fascinating world of physics as this book explores the remarkable life and groundbreaking contributions of the renowned physicist, John Le Conte. The author delves into Le Conte's early scientific pursuits in medicine, where his keen observations and meticulous analysis set the stage for his groundbreaking discoveries in acoustics. Through the author's engaging narrative, readers will witness the genesis of Le Conte's most celebrated work â " his discovery of the sensitivity of flames to sound vibrations. This pivotal moment not only established his reputation but also laid the foundation for further advancements in the field of sound. The book unveils the depth of Le Conte's intellect as he investigated the discrepancy between the computed and observed velocity of sound, ultimately refining Laplace's explanation and solidifying his legacy as a scientific luminary. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781332348435_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sketch of Prof. John Le Conte, Sensitive Flames and Sound-Shadows
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1332348432
• ISBN 13: 9781332348435
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Physics

About this title

Synopsis

Explore how light and sound bend, blend, and reveal hidden patterns in the world around us.

This scientific disc uses clear demonstrations to connect ideas about wave motion, diffraction, and interference to everyday experiences.

This is a nonfiction work that blends history, experiment, and accessible explanation. It traces the rise of the wave theory of light, contrasts it with emission ideas, and shows how practical tests illuminate deep principles. The book uses vivid setups like sensitive flames and acoustic shadows to illustrate how waves behave, why shadows aren’t perfectly still, and how scientists tested and confirmed key ideas.

• Learn how historical figures like Huygens, Newton, Young, Arago, and Fresnel influenced the understanding of light and sound.
• See practical demonstrations that link theory to observable effects, including how shadows form and how diffraction changes perception.
• Understand the role of the ether concept and how modern measurements reinforced wave theory without guessing from theory alone.
• Appreciate the parallels between light and sound through hands-on experiments and carefully explained results.

Ideal for curious readers who enjoy clear, experiment-backed explanations of physics and the history of science.