How to Understand Physics - Light & Optics: For Anyone Who is not Afraid of Emojis

• Do you want to learn physics without the need to learn calculus?
• Do you want a book that gives a rigorous understanding of Physics?
• Do you wish NOT to be treated like a child, an idiot, or a dummy?
• Do you want to avoid doing tests or homework or solving problems?
• And you are not afraid of Emojis.

This book, “How to Understand Physics—For Anyone who is not afraid of emojis,” is what you want. I discuss all the topics of a university physics course using physicist language and rigor but without the need to take a course in calculus. All you need to know to understand physics is the meaning of the symbols, the emojis we use. Physicists and mathematicians have given us all the answers. We do not need to prove them again. The intent is to satisfy/enrich the curious mind of the reader and enjoy the magnificent world of physics. The book contains many graphics, and the meaning of all the equations is clearly explained. Many everyday, interesting observations are sprinkled throughout the book. The derivations that could interest you are relegated to the appendices.

This book is purposely divided into six volumes. This allows you to buy those volumes that cover your interests or keep different volumes open simultaneously on the desk or computer.


Volume 5—Light and Optics—light and its properties is a 2500 old science. This volume starts by discussing the nature of light, its wave, and particle behaviors, including its velocity and energy. It is followed by its properties: reflection, refraction, diffraction, dispersion, and polarization. We continue with the study of optics, lenses, and mirrors. We cover all types of natural (sun, lightning, fire), man-made sources (candlelight, gas, electric bulbs, fireworks), and modern sources (LEDs, LASERs). We end up by explaining several optical instruments, such as reading glasses, magnifying lenses, telescopes, the ubiquitous LCDs, and the best optical device ever, the eye.

The other five volumes are:

• Volume 1—The Physicists’ Toolbox—All the math emojis and general physics concepts you need to understand this book
• Volume 2 – Mechanics – Covers motion, forces, energy, and work.

• Volume 3 – States of Nature and Thermodynamics – properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Heat laws and properties, devices, and engines.
• Volume 4—Electricity and Magnetism - Fields, electromagnetic waves, voltage and current, and semiconductor devices and applications.
• Volume 6 – Modern physics – Atomic and Nuclear physics, Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.

Anyone can use this book as a reference or review, but the primary audience is individuals who want to understand real physics without struggling with mathematical complexities.

Dr. George Domingo obtained his Ph.D. at UCLA. He started his career as an engineering faculty at Northrop University (11 years), worked in industry on infrared detector technology (20 years), and led the development of the infrared detectors for the SPITZER and JWST astronomical observatories (15 years) as an employee and consultant of NASA. He published two books, “Introduction to Electrical Engineering” and “Semiconductor Basics” and numerous papers