Let There Be Light

The Story of Light from Atoms to Galaxies

Alex Montwill, Ann Breslin

• Publisher: ICP
• Year: 2008
• ISBN:
  9781848167162
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Science History
• Index: History

This book is the first of its kind to devote itself at this level to the key role played by light and electromagnetic radiation in the universe. Readers are introduced to philosophical hypotheses such as the economy, symmetry, and universality of natural laws, and are then guided to practical consequences such as the rules of geometrical optics and even Einstein's well-known but mysterious relationship, E = mc 2. Most chapters feature a pen picture of the life and character of a relevant scientific figure. These “Historical Interludes” include, among others, Galileo's conflicts with the Inquisition, Fourier's taunting of the guillotine, Neils Bohr and World War II, and the unique character of Richard Feynman.

Going one step beyond the popular level, this easy-to-read book gives an overall view to undergraduate and postgraduate physics students that is often missing when trying to assimilate the technical details of their courses. Through its original treatment of topics and enjoyable style of writing, it will also stimulate keen interest in general readers who are interested in science and have a basic mathematics background as well as teachers looking for basic and accurate background information.

Contents:

• Introducing Light
• Geometrical Optics: Reflection
• Geometrical Optics
• Refraction
• Light from Afar — Astronomy
• Light from the Past — Astrophysics
• Introducing Waves
• Sound Waves
• Light as a Wave
• Making Images
• There Was Electricity, There Was Magnetism, and Then There Was Light
• ‘Atoms of Light’ — The Birth of Quantum Theory
• The Development of Quantum Mechanics
• Atoms of Light Acting as Particles
• Atoms of Light Behaving as Waves
• Relativity Part 1: How It Began
• Relativity Part 2: Verifiable Predictions
• Epilogue

Readership: Science students at undergraduate university level, lecturers of undergraduate and pre-university courses, graduates in physics and related sciences, and general readers.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Contents
• Chapter 1 - Introducing Light
• Chapter 2 - Geometrical Optics: Reflection
• Chapter 3 - Geometrical Optics: Refraction
• Chapter 4 - Light from Afar—Astronomy
• Chapter 5 - Light from the Past—Astrophysics
• Chapter 6 - Introducing Waves
• Chapter 7 - Sound Waves
• Chapter 8 - Light as a Wave
• Chapter 9 - Making Images
• Chapter 10 - There Was Electricity, There Was Magnetism, and Then There Was Light…
• Chapter 11 - ‘Atoms of Light’—The Birth of Quantum Theory
• Chapter 12 - The Development of Quantum Mechanics
• Chapter 13 - Atoms of Light Acting as Particles
• Chapter 14 - Atoms of Light Behaving as Waves
• Chapter 15 - Relativity Part 1: How It Began
• Chapter 16 - Relativity Part 2: Verifiable Predictions
• Chapter 17 - Epilogue
• Index