Patterns of Light

From the reviews: "In this work, which developed out of a general studies course at the university, Beeson and Mayer (both, Arizona State Univ.) present a descriptive overview of the nature of light and fundamental phenomena associated with its behavior. ... The brief, nontechnical chapters are geared to the nonscientist and emphasize phenomena. The book includes excellent illustrations (with some color photos) and a glossary of terms. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers." (O. Eknoyan, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (11), 2008)

• Introduction.- The Path of Light: Light beams, Light paths, Pinholes.- Reflection of Light: Mirrors, Daguerreotypes, Equal angles, Windows.- Refraction of Light: Speed of light, Waves, Refractive Index, Total internal reflection, Mirages.- Lenses: Focal length, Magnification, Photography, Fresnel lenses.- Color: Color and Light, The Eye and Color Sensation, Sources of Light, Composition of Light.- Rainbows: Your own rainbow, Secondary rainbows, Light inside, Double rainbows.- Blue skies and White clouds: Scattering, Rock candy/glass, Salt/sugar/foam, Water/ice.- Interference & Color: Soap bubbles, Oil/gas on water, Feathers.- Polarized light: Sunglasses, Blue sky.- The photon: a. Photoelectric effect, Solar panels, CCDs, LEDs.- Optical Spectroscopy: a. Light and electrons, Optical light emission, Prisms/gratings, Neon lights.- Electrons in atoms: Photons and electrons, X-rays, Optical absorption.- IR-UV-X-rays: Paintings in IR/UV/X-ray, Scorpions in UV, Suntans, Teeth in X-ray.- Optical and electron microscopy: Depth of focus, Images of Nature, Simple microscopes, Compound microscopes, SEM.- Mars.