1: Nature of Light
- Page ID
- 128435
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 1.1: Light and coulour
- This page introduces foundational concepts in optics and color theory, discussing light and color perception, including light dispersion through prisms, RGB color mixing, and the electromagnetic spectrum. It emphasizes the visible range of light (400 to 700 nm) and compares vision to hearing. Additionally, it covers additive and subtractive color mixing methods, and details experiments on light properties like polarization, speed measurement, and shadow formation.
- 1.2: Wavelengths and spectrum
- This page details the electromagnetic spectrum, focusing on visible light (400-700 nm) and its significance. It compares vision to other senses, explains color mixing (additive and subtractive), and examines light's properties through refraction, dispersion, and speed. Furthermore, it outlines experimental techniques, such as Young's double-slit experiment, to deepen understanding of light behavior.
- 1.3: Speed of light
- This page covers essential aspects of light and color measurement, focusing on the 400 to 700 nm range crucial for vision. It explains additive and subtractive color mixing, the nature of electromagnetic waves, and the speed of light through time-of-flight measurements. Key experiments such as prisms, diffraction, and Young's double-slit are discussed, along with methods for measuring radio wave speeds, highlighting their practical applications in experimentation.
- 1.4: Electromagnetic waves
- This page examines fundamental concepts of electromagnetic waves, detailing properties, measurement methods, and the speed of light. It discusses light's independence from a medium, the interplay of space and time, and the significance of vision. Key topics include colour mixing techniques, photon behavior, and experimental approaches to measuring light and radio wave speeds, supported by demonstrations that reinforce the connection between light and wave phenomena.
- 1.5: Waves, particles, rays
- This page summarizes fundamental concepts of light and vision, emphasizing wave properties like diffraction and the 400 to 700 nm range significant for human vision. It contrasts visual perception with other senses, explores color mixing techniques (additive and subtractive), and examines electromagnetic wave behavior.
- 1.6: Young's experiment.
- This page covers wave interference principles, emphasizing constructive and destructive interference through Young's experiments. It discusses vision and the human-visible light spectrum, alongside color mixing methods (additive and subtractive). The properties of electromagnetic waves and light quantization are explored, along with light behavior in prisms, measurement of light and radio wave speeds, and relevant experiments.
- 1.7: Transverse or longitudinal?
- This page covers fundamental principles of electric and magnetic fields, emphasizing their perpendicular relationship to propagation and the concept of polarization. It discusses the visible spectrum, color mixing, properties of electromagnetic waves, and the speed of light and radio waves. It also details experiments such as Young's double-slit and light behavior through prisms, while comparing light and sound waves, highlighting key concepts in optics and wave behavior.
- 1.8: Quanta and photons
- This page discusses photon interactions and light's characteristics, focusing on the 400 to 700 nm wavelength range crucial for vision. It explains additive and subtractive color mixing, electromagnetic wave behavior, and provides insights into experiments like prisms, shadows, and Young's double-slit that demonstrate wave principles. Additionally, it outlines techniques for measuring the speed of light and radio waves.
- 1.9: Summary
- This page covers key concepts in optics and vision, highlighting electromagnetic waves, energy quantization, and diffraction. It examines the visible light spectrum, vision compared to other senses, and color mixing methods. The behavior of light through prisms and its dual nature in shadow formation are discussed. Additionally, it includes experiments such as Young's double-slit experiment and measurements of light speed, illustrating wave behavior principles.
- 1.10: Appendix
- 1.10.1: Why vision?
- 1.10.1.1: Why light? Why vision?
- 1.10.1.2: Vision vs hearing
- 1.10.2: Colour mixing
- 1.10.3: Electromagnetic transverse waves
- 1.10.4: Molecules and photons
- 1.10.5: Newton's prisms
- 1.10.6: Shadows-particles and waves
- 1.10.7: Speed of light
- 1.10.8: Speed of Radio Waves
- 1.10.9: Young's experiment - water waves and light
- 1.10.10: Experiments with mixing colour
- 1.10.10.1: Introduction
- 1.10.10.2: Additive mixing of light
- 1.10.10.3: Partitive mixing of light in time
- 1.10.10.4: Partitive mixing in space for light
- 1.10.10.5: Subtractive mixing