A stunning visual exploration of the power and behavior of light across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
Light allows humans to see things around us, but we can only see a sliver of all the light in the universe, also known as the electromagnetic spectrum. Renowned science communicators Kim Arcand and Megan Watzke bring the entire spectrum to life and present the subject of light as never before. Organized along the order of the electromagnetic spectrum--from Radio waves to Gamma rays--each chapter focuses on a different type of light. From ultraviolet light, used in microscopy to image plant cells and bacteria, to X-rays, which let us peer inside the human body and view areas around black holes in deep space, Arcand and Watzke show us all the important ways light impacts us. With hundreds of stunning full-color photographs, including new images from the James Webb Space Telescope, Light is a joy to read and browse.Designed as a text for a one-semester, nonmathematical optics course at the undergraduate level, this well-illustrated text is addressed to art majors but is also suitable for students of fashion, theater, photography, and the liberal arts. Four parts constitute this introductory volume: Part I discusses the nature of light, including early ideas of light (a newly revised chapter for this edition), and classical and modern theories. Part II concerns the manipulation of light, including such topics as geometrical optics, polarization, lasers, and holography; Part III explores vision, including the eye and seeing; and Part IV examines color, in terms of light and color in nature and color science. Three appendices deal with lens and mirror equations, Snell's law, and scientific notation.
Questions at the end of each chapter offer students a chance to test their grasp of the material. The presentation is almost completely nonmathematical in manner, making this book widely accessible to students of all backgrounds and to other readers curious about this ubiquitous but mysterious natural phenomenon.
This stunning history of neon sign making includes more than 100 illustrations and charts showing the technical aspects of manufacture, and the dazzling potential of neon signs.
First published in 1935, this work starts by telling of the various technical innovations necessary to make neon signs a lasting sight on the city streets. We are given a step-by-step explanation of how glass tubes were used in conjunction with the neon gas and electricity to produce an array of stunning colors. The shape and schematics of signs grew in variety and size, and those skilled in repair and maintenance of the signs were in demand. The authors of this work both worked in the business, and sought to teach the wider audience about their products.
Associated with many bustling downtown districts such as London, New York or Las Vegas, the neon sign brightened the appearance of businesses. Through the use of neon, cities gained new glitz and color, and for decades the signage was at the heart of the 20th century prosperity. More modestly, smaller neon signs became synonymous with businesses such as roadside diners and gas stations; bright and colorful, with the option to blink on and off, the neon sign was a true stride forward in illumination technology.
In this deeply original book, science writer Anil Ananthaswamy sets out in search of the telescopes and detectors that promise to answer the biggest questions in modern cosmology. Why is the universe expanding at an ever faster rate? What is the nature of the dark matter that makes up almost a quarter of the universe? Why does the universe appear fine-tuned for life? Are there others besides our own?
Ananthaswamy soon finds himself at the ends of the earth--in remote and sometimes dangerous places. Take the Atacama Desert in the Chilean Andes, one of the coldest, driest places on the planet, where not even a blade of grass can survive. Its spectacularly clear skies and dry atmosphere allow astronomers to gather brilliant images of galaxies billions of light-years away. Ananthaswamy takes us inside the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope on Mount Paranal, where four massive domes open to the sky each night like dragons waking up.
He also takes us deep inside an abandoned iron mine in Minnesota, where half-mile-thick rock shields physicists as they hunt for elusive dark matter particles. And to the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, where engineers are drilling 1.5 miles into the clearest ice on the planet. They're building the world's largest neutrino detector, which could finally help reconcile quantum physics with Einstein's theory of general relativity.
The stories of the people who work at these and other dramatic research sites--from Lake Baikal in Siberia to the Indian Astronomical Observatory in the Himalayas to the subterranean lair of the Large Hadron Collider--make for a compelling new portrait of the universe and our quest to understand it. An atmospheric, engaging, and illuminating read, The Edge of Physics depicts science as a human process, bringing cosmology back down to earth in the most vivid terms.
Finally, a book on the physics of light that doesn't require advanced mathematics to understand. Seeing the Light is the most accessible and comprehensive study of optics and light on the market. With a focus on conceptual study, Seeing the Light leaves the heavy-duty mathematics behind, instead using practical analogies and simple empirical experiments to teach the material.
Each chapter is a self-contained lesson, making it easy to learn about specific optical concepts without having to read the whole book over. Inside you'll find clear and easy-to-understand explanations of topics including:
- Processes of vision and the eye
- Atmospherical optical phenomena
- Color perception and illusions
- Color in nature and in art
- Digital photography
- Holography
- And more
Diagrams, photos, and illustrations help bring difficult concepts to life, and optional sections at the ends of chapters explore the more advanced aspects of each topic. A truly one of a kind book for physics students and teachers, this updated edition of Seeing the Light is not to be missed.
One of Isaac Newton's most influential works, this classic treatise on the principles of colour and light presents his groundbreaking experiments and discoveries regarding the colour spectrum and the nature of light.
Opticks is a landmark publication that laid the foundation for modern colour science. First published in 1704, Newton details his experiments with light, prisms, and the colour spectrum, which led to the establishment of colour theory. His pioneering ideas led to insights into reflection, refraction, and the behaviour of light waves, revolutionising the field of optics.
Highly detailed and thoroughly illustrated, Newton's Opticks is a cornerstone text on the history of science, the nature of light, and the origins of modern optics. This new edition from Read & Co. Books also features a biography of Isaac Newton. It is an essential textbook for those interested in his revolutionary work and the physics of light and colour.
Infrared Illuminated: A User's Guide to the Science of Far Infrared Energy by Ariel Calista Miller opens a portal to the exciting frontier of scientific discovery and wellness - far infrared energy. This comprehensive guide offers an illuminating exploration of a groundbreaking technology reshaping our health approach. Authored by Ariel Calista Miller, a visionary at the helm of Quantum Collective and SolRay(TM) Biophysics, this work aims to demystify the complex science behind far infrared energy and render it accessible to everyone.
The book thoroughly explores the scientific principles of far infrared energy, its historical development, and its diverse therapeutic applications. Ariel's work spotlights the potential of far infrared energy in various aspects of health and wellness, such as relieving pain, supporting anti-aging processes, and aiding weight loss. Readers will also discover its role in addressing skin disorders, optimizing athletic performance, and even boosting pet health. Drawing from Ariel's wealth of knowledge and practical experience in the field, each chapter is packed with the latest research, real-world examples, and practical advice on incorporating far infrared energy into daily routines.
Moreover, Ariel's commitment to social responsibility shines through every page. Her visionary approach is more than just about understanding far infrared energy; it's about fostering a community conscious of their health, the environment, and the well-being of others. In a testament to this commitment, Ariel ensures a child is fed with every book order.
Infrared Illuminated serves as an engaging introduction for those new to far infrared technology, yet also a valuable reference for those already versed in its potential. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to enhance their health, explore new scientific horizons, and make a difference in the world.
Join Ariel on this enlightening journey into the future of health and wellness. Discover the transformative power of far infrared technology and how it can enrich your life in unimaginable ways. This is more than just a guide; it's your passport to the exciting frontier of scientific discovery and wellness.
In general terms, optics is the science of light. More specifically, optics is a branch of physics that describes the behavior and properties of light?including visible, infrared, and ultraviolet?and the interaction of light with matter.
Optics For Dummies gives you an approachable introduction to optical science, methods, and applications. You'll get plain-English explanations of the nature of light and optical effects; reflection, refraction, and diffraction; color dispersion; optical devices, industrial, medical, and military applications; as well as laser light fundamentals.
If you're taking an optics course for your major in physics or engineering, let Optics For Dummies shed light on the subject and help you succeed
Finally, a book on the physics of light that doesn't require advanced mathematics to understand. Seeing the Light is the most accessible and comprehensive study of optics and light on the market. With a focus on conceptual study, Seeing the Light leaves the heavy-duty mathematics behind, instead using practical analogies and simple empirical experiments to teach the material.
Each chapter is a self-contained lesson, making it easy to learn about specific optical concepts without having to read the whole book over. Inside you'll find clear and easy-to-understand explanations of topics including:
Diagrams, photos, and illustrations help bring difficult concepts to life, and optional sections at the ends of chapters explore the more advanced aspects of each topic. A truly one of a kind book for physics students and teachers, this updated edition of Seeing the Light is not to be missed.