Let there be light: the story of light from atoms to galaxies

This book is the first of its kind devoted 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 the 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 = mc2. 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. Thesecond edition has been revised and made more accessible to the general reader. Whenever possible, the mathematical material of the first edition has been replaced by appropriate text to give a verbal account of the mystery of the phenomenon of light and how its understanding has developed from pre-historic topresent times. The emphasis is on reading for interest and enjoyment; formulae or equations which underpin and reinforce the argument are presented in a form which does not interfere with the flow of the text. INDICE: Introducing Light; How Light is Reflected: How Light Always Chooses the Quickest Path; How Light is Deflected: The Quickest Path Applied to Optical Instruments; Light from Afar - Astronomy from the Greeks to the Present; Light from the Past - Astrophysics, Retracing Back to the Beginning of the Universe; Introducing Waves; Sound Waves; Light as a Wave; Making Images - From Photographs to Holograms; Then There was Light: How Maxwell Predicted Light Would Propagate; Atoms of Light - The Birth of Quantum Theory; The Quantum World -A New Philosophy; Atoms of Light Acting as Particles: Photons Showing Their Particle Nature; Atoms of Light Acting as Waves: Individual Photons with Wave Properties; Relativity - How it Began. Einstein's Logical Steps from a Clean Slate; Living with Relativity: Verifiable Consequences; Epilogue - The W Particle of Heavy Light. The Unity of Natural Laws.

• ISBN: 978-1-84816-758-2
• Editorial: Imperial College
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 450
• Fecha Publicación: 30/09/2012
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés