ASPERITY

ASPERITY, or Roughness, stands opposed to Smoothness, Polish, etc. See POLISH, etc. From the Asperity of the Surfaces of contiguous Surfaces, arises Friction. See SURFACE and FRICTION. According to the Relations of Vermuafen, the blind Man so famous for distinguishing Colours by the Touch, it should appear that every Colour has its particular Degree and Kind of Asperity. He makes Black the roughest, as it is the darkest of Colours; but the others are not smoother in proportion as they are lighter; i.e., the roughest do not always reflect the least Light: For, according to him, yellow is two Degrees rougher than blue, and as much smoother than green. Boyle of Colours. See COLOUR, LIGHT, etc.