When a spectrum showing a fair degree of saturation is observed, it is
seen that the point of greatest brightness lies in the yellows. As the
intensity is heightened, this point moves toward the red end, and as it
is lowered, it moves toward the blue.
It will be seen that the relation between the different amounts of
curvature for the different colors is the same as that between the
different degrees of apparent brightness when the intensity of the
colors in the spectrum is decreased. It is not that of the extreme case
of the phenomenon of Purkinje, but when the point of brightness has
moved from the yellow into the yellowish greens or decidedly to the
right of the place it occupies in the normal spectrum. In that case
yellow would be the color second in brightness. In our measurements
the amounts of curvature obtained from yellow images were next in size
to those of green. The red and the violet-blue which we used would
therefore be about equal. It is a noteworthy fact, however, that when
the intensities of light (1) and (2) are too great to give a maximum of
curvature the amount of curvature obtained with the red is greater than
that of the blue, while with the intensities which are too small (4)
and (5) to give a maximum the blue curve is greater than the red.
As yet it has not been possible for me to find an interpretation of
these facts which would seem to meet all the requirements, and I
should not wish to offer any explanation at present. The question
of the possible connection of this phenomenon with Purkinje's is
probably important for any explanation, though it is possible that the
arrangement of the curves is merely a coincidence, yet this hardly
seems likely, and it would seem as if an explanation of the connection
would involve an attempt at explanation of Purkinje's phenomenon, and
lead at once into the most doubtful problems of the theory of visual
sensations.
It is also noticed that the series of numbers obtained when the
amounts of curvature of the different colored images, at the different
intensities given in the foregoing table, are averaged up, and the
curve of the average of all colors is thus obtained, that this average
curve is very like that obtained for the white light. These curves and
the series of numbers which they represent are here given.
[Illustration]
Average for all colors. 14.00 15.70 17.90 15.90 15.35
Curve for white light. 11.50 15.00 17.80 15.75 14.25
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account