Ibn al-Haytham is regarded as the "father of modern optics"
[10] for his influential
Book of Optics (written while he was under house arrest), which correctly explained and proved the modern intromission theory of vision. He is also recognized so for his
experiments on optics, including experiments on
lenses,
mirrors,
refraction,
reflection, and the dispersion of
light into its cons uent colours.
[11] He studied
binocular vision and the
Moon illusion, described the
finite speed[12][13] of light, and argued that it is made of
particles[14] travelling in straight lines.
[13][15] Due to his formulation of a modern
quan ative and
empirical approach to
physics and science, he is considered the pioneer of the modern scientific method
[16][17] and the originator of the
experimental nature of physics[18] and science.
[19] Author Bradley Steffens describes him as the "first scientist".
[20] He is also considered by
A. I. Sabra to be the founder of
experimental psychology[21] for his approach to visual perception and
optical illusions,
[22] and a pioneer of the philosophical field of
phenomenology or the study of
consciousness from a
first-person perspective. His
Book of Optics has been ranked with
Isaac Newton's
Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica as one of the most influential books in the
history of physics,
[23] for starting a
revolution in optics
[24] and visual perception.
[25]
Ibn al-Haytham's achievements include many advances in physics and mathematics. He gave the first clear description
[26] and correct analysis
[27] of the
camera obscura. He enunciated
Fermat's principle of least time and the concept of
inertia (
Newton's first law of motion),
[28] and developed the concept of
momentum.
[29] He described the
attraction between
masses and was aware of the
magnitude of
acceleration due to gravity
at-a-distance.
[30] He stated that the
heavenly bodies were accountable to the
laws of physics and also presented a critique and reform of
Ptolemaic astronomy. He was the first to state
Wilson's theorem in
number theory, and he formulated the
Lambert quadrilateral[31] and a concept similar to
Playfair's axiom[32] now used in
non-Euclidean geometry. Moreover, he formulated and solved
Alhazen's problem geometrically using early ideas related to
calculus and
mathematical induction.
[33] In his optical research, he laid the foundations for the later development of
telescopic astronomy,
[34] as well as for the
microscope and the use of optical aids in
Renaissance art.
[35]
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