Francesco Maria Grimaldi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1618-04-02)2 April 1618 |
| Died | 28 August 1663(1663-08-28) (aged 45) Bologna |
| Other names |
|
| Known for | Free fall,diffraction |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics,Physics |
Francesco Maria GrimaldiSJ (2 April 1618 – 28 December 1663) was an ItalianJesuit priest,mathematician andphysicist who taught at theJesuit college inBologna. He was born in Bologna to Paride Grimaldi and Anna Cattani.[1]
Between 1640 and 1650, working withRiccioli, he investigated thefree fall of objects, confirming that the distance of fall was proportional to the square of the time taken. Grimaldi and Riccioli also made a calculation ofgravity at the Earth's surface by recording theoscillations of an accuratependulum.[2]
Inastronomy, he built and used instruments to measure lunar mountains as well as the height of clouds, and drew an accurate map or,selenograph, which was published by Riccioli and now adorns the entrance to theNational Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
He discovered and was the first to make accurate observations on thediffraction oflight[3][4] and coined the word 'diffraction'. In his bookPhysico-Mathesis de Lumine, Coloribus et Iride (1665), he stated the theory of the reconstitution of sunlight from refracted coloured light.[5] (There is a far-fetched account thatLeonardo da Vinci had earlier noted the effect.[6][7])
Through experimentation he was able to demonstrate that the observed passage of light could not be reconciled with the idea that it moved in a rectilinear path. Rather, the light that passed through the hole took on the shape of a cone. Later physicists used his work as evidence that light was a wave, significantly, Dutch mathematicianChristiaan Huygens. He also discovered what are known as diffraction bands.[8]
The craterGrimaldi on theMoon is named after him.
He only published one work:
The work is mainly remembered for being the first report of diffraction. In the work, he was mainly concerned with two questions:
He argued that light is probably a subtle fluid (thus a substance), though it might still be an accident (as Aristotelians believed). He also argued that color is associated with undulations of the subtle fluid.[9]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Francesco Maria Grimaldi".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
