The Physics and Chemistry of Color: The Fifteen Causes of Color [Hardcover]

Kurt Nassau (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471867764 | ISBN-13: 978-0471867760 | Publication Date: October 18, 1983 | Edition: 1

An updated and revised second edition of the acclaimed classic
Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue, or a ruby red? This classic volume studies the physical and chemical origins of color by exploring fifteen separate causes of color and their varied and often subtle occurrences in biology, geology, mineralogy, the atmosphere, technology, and the visual arts. It covers all of the fundamental concepts at work and requires no specialized knowledge.
Author Kurt Nassau includes hundreds of illustrations, tables, and photographs-as well as end-of-chapter problems-that aid in visualizing the concepts discussed. An updated bibliography permits readers to pursue their own particular interests and an expanded series of appendices cover advanced topics.
The Physics and Chemistry of Color, Second Edition is a one-of-a-kind treatment of color that provides both detailed physical and chemical properties of color and a more general overview of the subject. It will prove highly useful to specialists and non-specialists alike-and fascinate those with varied interests from optics to art history.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...investigates just how an organic pigment such as chlorophyll interacts with white light to produce a green color, why the sky is blue, why rubies are red...fundamental concepts needed to understand these phenomena are covered so that no specialized knowledge is required." (SciTech Book News, Vol. 25, No. 4, December 2001)

"...a fascinating journey into the world of colour." (Chemistry in Britain, January 2002)

"...discusses 15 causes of color and is intended to fill the gap between a general elementary discussion of color and a higher technical level?Nassau has clearly accomplished this goal." (Choice, Vol. 39, No. 6, February 2002)

"excellent survey covering all aspects of the chemistry and physics of colour"(Asia Pacific Coatings Journal, December 2001)

Book of the Week
"Overall, Pharmaceuticals: Classes, Therapeutic Agents and Areas of Applications, Vol. 1-4 are a massive resource for those working with pharmaceuticals...these four volumes build a strong and broad foundation to those new to these fields....they also act as a valuable aid to memory to those already involved in therapeutic areas...provide[s] a clear, concise and, above all, useful reference work.
It is recommended as stock reading for anyone with an interest in colour chemistry and the physical science relating the interaction of light and matter". (The Alchemist, 25 March 2002)

"No-one could read this book without learning something new about the world of colour." (Chemistry & Industry, 3 June 2002)

"There is an immense amount of knowledge in this book.... It can be recommended to keep this volume on your desk so that you can reach out for it..." (CIE News, Vol. 64) --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

??discusses 15 causes of color and is intended to fill the gap between a general elementary discussion of color and a higher technical level?Nassau has clearly accomplished this goal.? Choice Vol. 39, No. 6 February 2002 --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience; 1 edition (October 18, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471867764
• ISBN-13: 978-0471867760
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,120,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely interesting and comprehensive discussion., November 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Physics and Chemistry of Color: The Fifteen Causes of Color (Hardcover)

The book goes through the causes of color in a very well organized manner. The author discusses incandescence, fluorescence, phosphorescence, ligand field theory and all other causes of color. It is written so that any reader with a bachelors degree in chemistry or physics could easily understand it. It contains very informative appendices. I highly recommend the book to science types who are interested in color and its causes.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, rigorous, informative and interesting - for curious people, March 8, 2007

By 

Felix P. Lu "Felix Lu, Ph.D." (Durham, NC, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Physics and Chemistry of Color, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

What I like about this book is the relation between the practical and intuitive side of color (e.g. color perception, minerals, art preservation, everyday objects) and the scientific and technical side (e.g. electronics and vibrational interactions, classical and quantum physical phenomena, chemistry). The topics in this book tie loose ends of knowledge together and makes you go "Ahhhh! I guess I _knew_ that, but I was never able to tie them together before!". You're guaranteed to learn or relearn several new things every time you read the book. I have had several inquires about selling the book, but have always turned them down. This is one of the few books which inspire you to be curious about the world.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very readable treatment of the subject, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Physics and Chemistry of Color: The Fifteen Causes of Color (Hardcover)

Nassau succeeds in presenting a very readable treatment on the causes of color in natural and synthetic materials. He strikes a good balance between technical detail and ease of digestion, and leaves the more complex material for appendices.

The volume is enlightening, informative, fairly complete and enjoyable reading, even for those casually interested in the subject.