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Optics For Dummies

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Description

The easy way to shed light on OpticsIn general terms, optics is the science of light. More specifically, optics is a branch of physics that describes the behavior and properties of light?including visible, infrared, and ultraviolet?and the interaction of light with matter.Optics For Dummies gives you an approachable introduction to optical science, methods, and applications. You'll get plain-English explanations of the nature of light and optical effects; reflection, refraction, and diffraction; color dispersion; optical devices, industrial, medical, and military applications; as well as laser light fundamentals.Tracks a typical undergraduate optics courseDetailed explanations of concepts and summaries of equationsValuable tips for study from college professorsIf you're taking an optics course for your major in physics or engineering, let Optics For Dummies shed light on the subject and help you succeed! Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ For Dummies; 1st edition (August 2, 2011)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1118017234


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 34


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.2 x 0.9 x 9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #147,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #18 in Optics for Physics #2,395 in Engineering (Books) #5,594 in Schools & Teaching (Books)


#18 in Optics for Physics:


#2,395 in Engineering (Books):


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Top Amazon Reviews


  • This is a great book!
This is a great book overall but there is one clear contradiction the author made about a fiber optic light guide. He states on page 216 that there is a largest angle of incidence that a ray of light can enter a fiber optic light guide and remain in the guide. On page 217 he contradicts this by stating in effect that as long as all rays of light entering the guide are LESS THAN this largest angle of incidence they will stay within the guide. I’m sure he meant to say that as long as all rays of light are less than OR EQUAL to this largest angle of incidence the rays will remain within the guide. If not he definitely contracted himself which only goes to show that even PhDs can make mistakes! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024 by Kenneth L. Carson

  • I would have given this book five stars,
I would have given this book five stars for introducing concepts to me with their historical naming scheme and useful mathematic equations, but it's missing some of the equations needed for my project of building my interferometer. It includes Thomas Young double slit experiment, but it is missing equations to determine where basic logic circuits would appear during 'wavefront, light on light interference', . It introduces things like telescopes, prescription glasses , lcds, projectors, diffraction, refraction, reflection, fresnel and fraunhoffer. But is still an excellent source for a beginner in Optics. I could do better while I am in a productive dream state, but this is a great book for beginner's. And I Love It. It's a great introduction and a scientific tease. Basically what I was looking for in a book today. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2013 by J. Hicks

  • It is a great overview of the basics of light
It is a great overview of the basics of light, what it is and how it behaves. I enjoyed the author's sense of humor. He is not as dry as professors tend to be.
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2015 by Amazon Customer

  • Good, but some Kindle limitations
Good book, but the equations are not easy to see on a Kindle. In fact, I needed a magnifying glass for some of them. But a nice intro to Optics.
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2013 by John Matta

  • Dummy Optics
Like all the dummy books, it gives basic information that has sometimes been a clincher to getting the question. However sometimes the info is too basic or vague for my university student needs.
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2012 by Krogan

  • Look elsewhere, fellow dummies.
Readers should be cautious about buying this misleadingly titled book. I have two reservations. The first is that there are not many "dummies" out there who would be comfortable with the heavy amount of abstract algebra and trigonometry thrown at them at the very start of the book (Chapter Two). He expects you to simply have faith that it is somehow relevant to the subject matter to follow. Why not start out with some basic simple facts about lenses and introduce the math and explain it only when it becomes necessary? But then the author even comes up with what appears to be questionable basic science. Example: in Chapter One the author announces that "In optics, only the electric field matters in almost all interactions with matter, because the electric field can do work on charged particles and the magnetic field can't." Really? Then how do electromagnetic generators work? And what about electron microscopes? For the real dummies like me, I suggest you consider a book like Chris Ferrie's "Optical Physics for Babies." The optics there is considerably easier and more intuitive to grasp. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2015 by Sophist

  • Very Good Book for Novices
I like this book because it thoroughly describes the subject matter of Optics. It is for regular people who wish to understand the topic without using heavy-duty mathematics.
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2013 by Nyteman

  • Nice introduction to a wast subject
Thoug very simple in it's outline it gives a very precise idea of all basic fields in optics science. It might be even a better reading if the main issues affecting practical applications would be discussed with more detail. I would recommend it as a complementary textbook
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2014 by Yoshyoka

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