Chapter 18: Light Waves and Colors

The behavior of light waves is introduced and discussed; polarization, color, diffraction and interference are introduced as supporting evidence of the wave nature of light. Color perception is discussed in detail.

Lesson 1: Electromagnetic Waves - How Do We Know Light is a Wave?

  1. Wavelike Behaviors of Light
  2. Two Point Source Interference
  3. Thin Film Interference
  4. Polarization

Lesson 2: Color and Vision

  1. The Electromagnetic and Visible Spectra
  2. Visible Light and the Eye's Response
  3. Light Absorption, Reflection, and Transmission
  4. Color Addition
  5. Color Subtraction
  6. Blue Skies and Red Sunsets

Lesson 3: Mathematics of Two-Point Source Interference

  1. Anatomy of a Two-Point Source Interference Pattern
  2. The Path Difference
  3. Young's Equation
  4. Young's Experiment
  5. Other Applications of Two-Point Source Interference