Light and the Information it carries Lecture 1

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Visible light

HumanBee

Light and the environment absorption absorption diffraction diffraction refraction refraction reflection reflection

Light striking an opaque surface absorption absorption matt black surface - absorbs most light, reflects little matt black surface - absorbs most light, reflects little silvered surface - absorbs little, reflects most silvered surface - absorbs little, reflects most reflection reflection reflects some wavelength more than others reflects some wavelength more than others a green leaf absorbs red light (and so reflects less) and so appears green a green leaf absorbs red light (and so reflects less) and so appears green texture influences how coherently light is reflected texture influences how coherently light is reflected

Reflection SmoothRough

Ambient Optic Array 1

Each visible surface structures the pattern of light The Optic array is the structured pattern of light reaching the observers eye from the environment

Optic Array 2

Optic Array 3