Exploring the Electromagnetic Spectrum
James Clerk Maxwell
Theory of Electromagnetism
An Electromagnetic Wave
The Speed of Electromagnetic Waves
The Production and Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves
How to make an EM Wave
How EM Waves Travel
Measurement and Speed of Light
Early Measurements
Modern Values
The Standard Speed of Light
Exploring with the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Spectroscopes and Spectroscopy
Discharge Tubes
Reflected Sunlight
Incandescent Filaments
Signature of Elements
Unique Signatures
Stellar Spectra
Surface Temperature
More Stellar Characteristics
The Wave Model of Light
Competing Theories of Light
Newton and Huygens
Diffraction and Interference
Diffraction
Huygen's Principle
Constructive and Destructive Interference
Young's Experiment
Interpreting Young's Experiment
The Diffraction Grating
Diffraction and Interference Patterns with White Light
Diffraction at a Single Slit
Comparing the Experimental Evidence for the Two Models of Light
Polarisation
Polarisation and Transverse Waves
The Quantum Model of Light
Light as a Type of Wave
Maxwell's Theory of EM Waves
Heinrich Hertz: Further Evidence that Light is a Type of Wave
The Emission of Light by Hot Objects: Black Body Radiation
Photoelectric Effect
Need for a New Model of Light
Photoelectric Effect: Evidence that light is not a type of wave
Explanation of the Photoelectric Effect: Enter Albert Einstein
Light and Special Relativity
What is Relativity?
Changes in Understanding What is Relative
There is No Rest
The Principle of Relativity
Examples of Galilean Relativity
Frames of Reference
Electromagnetism Brings New Challenges
Light as an EM Wave
Michaelson-Morley Experiment
Einstein's Two Postulates of Special Relativity
Broadening our Horizons
Understanding the Speed of Light as an Absolute Constant
The Speed of Light is Constant
Space-Time Diagrams
Evidence for Einstein's Two Postulates
Summarising the Evidence
Time Dilation and Modern Technology
Length Contraction
Measuring Length
A Note on Seeing Relativistic Effects
The Journey of Muons
Relativistic Momentum
The Most Famous Equation E = mc^2
Another Thought Experiment
Relativity and Momentum
Relativity and Inertia
Mass Conversion in the Snow