鄭復(fù)光(1780—約1853):清代著名科學(xué)家。字元甫、瀚香,安徽歙縣人。精通數(shù)學(xué)、物理與機(jī)械制造。1846年寫(xiě)成《鏡鏡冷癡》5卷,集當(dāng)時(shí)中西光學(xué)知識(shí)大成。在完成此書(shū)的基礎(chǔ)上,制造了中國(guó)最早的一臺(tái)測(cè)天望遠(yuǎn)鏡。另著有《鄭元甫札記》(手抄本)、《鄭瀚香遺稿》(手抄本)、《安徽通志稿》有傳。
《光與色》(《鏡鏡癡》節(jié)選)
鄭復(fù)光
目睹物而知形,然形非色不見(jiàn);色非光不見(jiàn)。故色必資乎光;畫(huà)資乎日,夜資乎月星與火。光盛則色顯,光微則色隱。色依光以現(xiàn)其形:色濃則明,色淡則藏;色立乎異,則相得益彰,色傍乎同,則若存若亡。
We know the shape of a thing when we see it, but its shape will not be seen if it has no color. The color of a thing will not be seen if there is no light. So the color for us to see has to depend on light, just as the day on the sun; or the night on the moon and stars, and fire. When the light is strong, the color becomes apparent; and when the light is dim, the color becomes obscure. A thing shows its shape by its color: it is conspicuous when its color is deep; it is invisible when its color is light. There will be a striking contrast if the colors of the things are quite different while their existence will not be felt if their colors are almost the same.