Product Information
Light enables us to see the world around us. Our sense of sight provides us with direct information about space and time, the physical arrangement of the world, and how it changes. This almost universal shared sensation of vision has led to a fascination with the nature and properties of light across the ages. But the light we see is just a small part of the whole spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, ranging from radio waves to gamma rays.In this Very Short Introduction Ian Walmsley discusses early attempts to explain light, and the development of apparently opposing particulate and wave theories by scientists such as Isaac Newton and Christiaan Huygens. He shows how light was recognized as an electromagnetic wave in the 19th century, and the development of the quantum mechanics view of wave-particle duality in the 20th century. He also describes the many applications of light, domestic and scientific, such as microwaves, DVDs, and lasers. We now use the whole range of electromagnetic radiation to peer both into the human body and deep into space. Turning to the future of optics, Walmsley concludes by looking at some of the most exciting new developments using quantum light sources in communications and computing.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Product Identifiers
PublisherOxford University Press
ISBN-139780199682690
eBay Product ID (ePID)216642939
Product Key Features
Number of Pages160 Pages
Publication NameLight: a Very Short Introduction
LanguageEnglish
SubjectScience, Physics
Publication Year2015
TypeTextbook
AuthorIan A. Walmsley
FormatPaperback
Dimensions
Item Height174 mm
Item Weight141 g
Additional Product Features
Country/Region of ManufactureUnited Kingdom
Title_AuthorIan A. Walmsley
Series TitleVery Short Introductions