Brewster , Sir David

Brewster , Sir David
(1781–1868) British physicist
Brewster, who was born in Jedburgh, Scotland, started by studying for the ministry at Edinburgh University but, after completing the course, he abandoned the Church for science. He earned his living by editing various journals and spent much time popularizing science.
Brewster published almost 300 papers, mainly concerning optical measurements. He was an early worker in spectroscopy, obtaining (1832) spectra of gases and of colored glass. His most famous work was on the polarization of light. In 1813 he discovered Brewster's law, which states that if a beam of light is split into a reflected ray and a refracted ray at a glass surface, then they are polarized, and the polarization is complete when the two rays are at right angles. The angle of incidence at which this occurs is called the Brewster angle. He is also known for his invention, in 1816, of the kaleidoscope.
Brewster was knighted in 1832. From 1859 he was principal of Edinburgh University.

Scientists. . 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Brewster, Sir David — ▪ Scottish physicist born Dec. 11, 1781, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scot. died Feb. 10, 1868, Allerby, Melrose, Roxburghshire       Scottish physicist noted for his experimental work in optics and polarized light i.e., light in which all waves lie… …   Universalium

  • Brewster, Sir David — (1781 1868)    Man of science and writer, b. at Jedburgh, originally intended to enter the Church, of which, after a distinguished course at the Univ. of Edin., he became a licentiate. Circumstances, however, led him to devote himself to science …   Short biographical dictionary of English literature

  • BREWSTER, SIR DAVID —    an eminent Scottish natural philosopher, born at Jedburgh; edited the Edinburgh Encyclopædia, in the pages of which Carlyle served his apprenticeship; specially distinguished for his discoveries in light, his studies in optics, and for his… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • David Brewster — Born 11 December 1781 Canongate, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire …   Wikipedia

  • David Brewster — Nacimiento 1781 …   Wikipedia Español

  • Brewster's law — Optics. the law that light will receive maximum polarization from a reflecting surface when it is incident to the surface at an angle (angle of polarization or polarizing angle) having a tangent equal to the index of refraction of the surface.… …   Universalium

  • David Brewster — David Br …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Brewster — (spr. brūster), Sir David, Physiker, geb. 11. Dez. 1781 zu Jedburgh in Schottland, gest. 10. Febr. 1868 in Allerly, studierte zu Edinburg, wurde Professor der Physik an der Universität zu St. Andrews, war lange Zeit Sekretär und Vizepräsident der …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • David Octavius Hill — The Scottish painter and arts activist David Octavius Hill (1802 – May 17, 1870) collaborated with the engineer and photographer Robert Adamson between 1843 and 1847 to pioneer many aspects of photography in Scotland. Contents …   Wikipedia

  • David Octavius Hill — Hill beim Zeichnen in Greyfriars Kirk …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”