Introduction to Light

by Gary Waldman

Book Overview

Designed for a nonmathematical undergraduate optics course addressed to art majors, this four-part treatment discusses the nature and manipulation of light, vision, and color. 170 black-and-white illustrations. 1983 edition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 048642118X
• ISBN13: 9780486421186
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.6" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Non-mathematical but rigorous, and with good illustrations

I teach physics to high school and middle school teachers, and came across this book while looking for good discussions and illustrations of the formation of rainbows. The author has taught optics to art majors for many years and the style of the text, rich with clear verbal descriptions, simple diagrams, and occasional asides relating to art, reflects his experience communicating with non-science majors. I recommend the book to any student of physics or optics who wants to gain a more intuitive understanding of basic concepts. Since the publisher has not enabled the search function, I will list the table of contents: 1. Early ideas of light; 2. The classical theories; 3. Modern theories; 4. Geometrical optics; 5. Polarization; 6. Lasers; 7. Holography; 8. The eye; 9. Seeing; 10. Light and color in nature; 11. Color science; Appendix A: Lens and Mirror equations; Appendix B: Snell's Law; Appendix C: Scientific notation. Index.