Light (Eyewitness Science) - Hardcover

David Burnie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0863189059 ISBN 13: 9780863189050

Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd, 1992

Synopsis

Discover the amazing world of light -- from ancient myths to the optic discoveries that have revolutionized modern life. Here is a spectacular, thought-provoking, and highly informative guide to the fascinating story of light. Superb full-color photography of original equipment, intricate scientific instruments, revealing experiments, and 3-D models offers a unique "eyewitness" view to the incredible discoveries that have transformed our world. See why ancient peoples worshipped the Sun as a god, how light rays bend, why things glow when they are very hot, what creates a color television picture, how microscopes and telescopes were invented, and why a leaf looks green. Learn how fiber optics can transmit light, what happens during an eclipse, why images are reversed in mirrors, how a liquid crystal display works, and what makes a hologram. Discover what causes the eerie "Will o' the wisp", how some animals can make their own light, what creates a mirage, why we burn in strong sunlight, what a polarizing filter does, why we see rainbows, what a quantum is, how X-rays penetrate our bodies, and much, much more!

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-- This series uses the familiar ``Eyewitness'' format to trace scientific developments and discoveries. Arrangement is roughly chronological, with douboned illustrations and photos on each spread, a wealth of information is provided, ranging from explanations of processes to historical tidbits and trivia. Descriptions of solar cells and interference colors ( Light) and the telegraphle-page treatments focusing on general areas of interest. Light covers such topics as shadows, refraction, lasers, and holograms, while Electriticy includes conduction, magnetism, communication, and more. With six to eight captiic receiver (Electricity) are brief, but clear and concise. Despite these strengths, the format limits the books' usefulness. Readers with little background will be overwhelmed by the deluge of information. Solid explanations of electricity and light are there, but it is hard to follow them systematically with all of the sidebars and related factual fragments. Photographs are of excellent quality and are effective in illustrating the concepts discussed, but many require prior knowledge to understand and appreciate them. Although they cannot match the broad appeal of McCarthy & Arnold's Reptile (1991) or the Natural History Museum staff's Rocks & Minerals (1988, both Knopf), these titles will be useful and attractive supplements to science collections. --Steven Engelfried, Alameda County Library, CA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series] -- The New York Times

These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series] -- School Library Journal

Edition details

• Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0863189059
• ISBN 13: 9780863189050
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 64