Light a very short introduction discusses early attempts to explain light the opposing particulate and wave theories by scientists such as isaac newton and christiaan huygens how light was recognized as an electromagnetic wave in the 19th century and the 20th century development of the quantum mechanics view of wave particle duality it also describes the many applications of light domestic and scientific including microwaves dvds and lasers. In this very short introduction ian walmsley discusses early attempts to explain light and the development of apparently opposing particulate and wave theories by scientists such as isaac newton and christiaan huygens he shows how light was recognized as an electromagnetic wave in the 19th century and the development of the quantum mechanics view of wave particle duality in the 20th century. Buy light a very short introduction very short introductions by walmsley ian a isbn 9780199682690 from amazons book store everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Light a very short introduction ian a walmsley very short introductions covers the physics of light its historical development and significance and its applications in modern science introduces the vast array of modern optical technologies from long distance communications to dvd and cd readers and writers to surgical tools