Description
Book SynopsisOffers a tour of the world of light. This book explores theoretical, experimental, and historical themes, and covers such questions as how it is possible to achieve magnifications of a millionfold without a single lens or mirror. It also covers various elements of physical optics, including propagation, reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
Table of ContentsPrefaceCh. 1Introduction: Setting the Agenda3Pt. 1Refraction7Ch. 2Following the Straight and Narrow9Ch. 3How Deep Is the Ocean? How High Is the Sky? Imaging in Stratified Media17Pt. 2Diffraction and Interference33Ch. 4Dark Spots - Bright Spots35Ch. 5Newton's Two-Knife Experiment: The Hyperbolic Enigma45Ch. 6Young's Two-Slit Experiment with Electrons77Ch. 7Pursuing the Invisible: Imaging without Lenses97Pt. 3Polarization141Ch. 8Poles Apart: The Mysteries of Light Polarization143Ch. 9The State of Light153Pt. 4Reflection and Scattering197Ch. 10The Grand Synthesis199Ch. 11New Twists on Reflection215Ch. 12Through a Glass Brightly: "Fresnel Amplification"261Ch. 13A Penetrating Look at Scattered Light281Pt. 5Playing with Waves337Ch. 14Voice of the Dragon339Pt. 6Science and Learning355Ch. 15A Heretical Experiment in Teaching Physics357Ch. 16Why Brazil Nuts Are on Top: Physics and the Art of Writing389Ch. 17What Does It Take ...?399Index407
