San Antonio College Library

Light surrounds us and determines our existence. Scientists have long struggled to comprehend its physical nature - an enigmatic mix of wave and quantum particle - as well as how it affects us biologically. It remains an enduring mystery - yet is also the stuff of artistic endeavor. Inspired by Magritte's painting, Empire of Light offers the general reader a clear, non-technical interpretation of the story of light, from ancient discoveries (and colossal...

The story of how we use light to reveal the cosmos begins in the 3rd century BC with the Greek mathematician Euclid's discovery that light travels in straight lines-a discovery that meant that if we could change its path we could change how we see the world. In Renaissance Italy, 2,000 years later, Galileo Galilei did just that by using the lenses of his simple telescope to reveal our true place in the cosmos. With each new insight into the nature...

In this sequel to In Search of Schrodinger's Cat, Gribbin presents the latest evidence about the nature of light, the phenomenon that is the key ingredient in both quantum theory and relativity.

Is light composed of waves or particles? This collection of 17 computer-animated video modules explores the wave model of light, from its earliest roots to our modern understanding of electromagnetism. Empedocles' belief that light streams from the eye, Aristotle's conception of light as a disturbance in ether, and Euclid's mathematical, ray-centered paradigms are all explored. The Cartesian sine wave model, Huygens' principle of bending wave fronts,...

Sound waves can be used to soothe, to heal, or to pulverize. This fascinating program examines the power of sound as it is employed today-for everything from electroplating metal to breaking up kidney stones through lithotripsy. Detailed experiments illustrate each concept discussed, and relevant terms are concisely defined.

The story of the photoelectric effect is an ongoing one, from its discovery in 1887 to its use in a myriad of today's devices, such as cameras and cell phones. This program tells that story, charting the contributions of Hertz, Lenard, Planck, and Einstein, while making use of actual experiments, clever demonstrations, and formulas that describe each aspect of a crucial physics phenomenon. Topics include: Hertz's initial experiment; Lenard's investigations;...

Identification of electrons, protons, and neutrons led to a modern subatomic theory. The study of atomic spectra-the light given off by atoms at definite wavelengths-led to the Bohr atomic model, where electrons at distinct energy levels move between these levels by absorbing and emitting discrete quanta of energy. The measurement of atomic spectra has applications in astrophysics as well as forensic chemistry.

This program examines the use of lasers and optical fibers as a means of providing high-bandwidth communications. The underlying principles of physics are thoroughly explained, the chemical and engineering challenges faced in providing improved data transfer are explored, and examples of applied photonics-both present and future-are examined. Expert commentary and 3-D computer animations enhance the program.

"This is the brief story, from Leonardo to Oppenheimer, of what we know about light as we enter the last decade of 500 light years of exploration, from the perception of the subject during the Renaissance to the revolution spawned by the laser and optical fibers."--Introduction.