Light
An Introductory Text-Book

Originally published in 1929, this informative textbook, aimed at school students, provides a reliable introduction on the subject of light.

C. G. Vernon (Author)

9781316619827, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 September 2016

204 pages
18 x 12.8 x 1.8 cm, 0.5 kg

Originally published in 1929, this informative textbook, aimed at school students, provides a reliable introduction on the subject of light. The book was written because the subject, 'which, at the university, proves to be full of lively interest, is too often at school a dreary grind of thinly disguised geometry' and 'much of value is lost in this way'. Offering a vibrant account of electromagnetic theory of radiation and an 'explanation of nearly all the phenomena hitherto investigated', this book presents 'an alternative approach to the subject'. Chapters are detailed and broad in scope; chapter titles include, 'The behaviour of light', 'The velocity of light' and 'Sources of light'. Notably, the wave concept is used as the means of approach and multiple examples are included at the back for reference. This book will be of significant value to anyone with an interest in optics and the history of education.

Preface
1. Historical
2. Waves and wave-motion
3. The behaviour of ripples
4. The behaviour of light
5. Refraction through glass blocks and prisms
6. The imprinting of curvatures
7. Simple mathematical treatment
8. More advanced mathematical treatment
9. The velocity of light
10. The spectrum and colour
11. Geometrical optics
12. The eye and optical instruments
13. Sources of light
14. Interference, diffraction and polarisation
15. Suggestions for class experiments
Index.

Subject Areas: Optical physics [PHJ]