Question

Who invented optics?

Answer 1

So, we are supposed to name the person who invented optics. Optics basically is the branch of physics that is known to study the behaviour and properties of light that includes the interactions with matter as well as the construction of instruments that use or may be able to detect it.

Complete step-by-step solution:
In the question, we asked who was the inventor of optics.
It is a well-known fact that the work on optics began back in 700BC where the Egyptians as well as Mesopotamians started polishing crystals so as to replicate the optical abilities. This was followed by various other developments in this area. In spite of many other pieces of research done in this field of optics, it was Ibn al-Haitham or Alhazen is credited with the title of ‘the father of optics’. Alhazen’s work is explained in detail in the book that is titled ‘the book of optics’. In this book he re-introduces the modern theories of the properties of light. Today’s basic topics, like reflection and refraction, are discussed in this book. He also stated a new theory that is able to explain the true nature of the concept of vision and light. One should understand that his whole work was completely based on observation and experiment.

Note: It is to be noted that Ibn al-Haytham’s theory of light was found to be neither identical with nor directly descendant from any one of the theories that are known to have existed previously. So, basically the first real appreciation of the action of lens is credited to this scientist.