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Theories of Light

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5 views13 pages

Theories of Light

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Uploaded by

anusandhu324
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Theories of Light

Introduction to Light Theories

● Light has fascinated scientists for centuries.


● Different theories explain its nature and behavior.
● Let's explore key theories and experiments related to light.
Waves
● A wave is a continuous stream of regular disturbances.
● Waves can be classified as being either transverse or
longitudinal.
● A Transverse wave is one that has vibrations perpendicular to
its direction of propagation.
Longitudinal Waves

● A longitudinal wave is one that has vibrations parallel to its


direction of Propagation.
● Longitudinal waves are characterized by regions of high
pressure (compressions) and regions of low pressure
(rarefactions).
Huygens' Wave Theory
● In 1690 Huygens suggested that light was a longitudinal wave,
capable of propagating through a material called the aether,
which he believed filled all space.
● This material medium (aether) justified why light can pass
through a vacuum.
● Huygens proposed that each point along a wavefront, acts a
source of new ‘wavelets’.
● After a short time, t, each of these secondary wavelets has
advanced by the the same amount and a new wavefront B is
formed.
Newton's Particle (Corpuscular) Theory

● Isaac Newton proposed in 1704 that light is made of particles


called "corpuscles."
● He believed that the mass of the source diminished as it
releases these particles.
● This theory explains reflection and refraction. (particles collide,
bounce off)
● At that time, the diffraction of light had not been observed and
Newton argued that since light does not diffract, it cannot be a
wave.
● Also at that time, it was not known that light travels faster in air
than in water. Newton’s Theory suggested it should be faster in
water.
Diffraction

● Diffraction is the spreading of a wave as it passes an edge or


goes through a gap.
● The smaller the wavelength relative to the gap, the lesser is the
diffraction.
● The greater the wavelength, the greater the diffraction of the
wave.
Interference

● Interference is the phenomenon which occurs at a point where


two or more waves superpose on each other (add) to produce a
combined vibration of amplitude lesser or greater than any of
the individual waves.
Constructive Interference

● Constructive Interference occurs where two or more waves


superpose in phase to create a vibration greater than that of
either of the individual waves.
● For a Transverse wave, this is where two crests or two troughs
meet.
● For a Longitudinal wave, it can be where two compressions or
two rarefactions meet.
Destructive Interference
● Destructive interference occurs where 2 or more waves
superpose out of phase to create a vibration less than either of
the individual waves.
● For a Transverse wave, this can be where a crest meets a
trough.
● For a Longitudinal wave, it can be where compression meets a
rarefaction.
Young's Double Slit Experiment
● In 1802 Young demonstrated the wave nature of light.
● Light passing through two slits creates an interference pattern.
● When the waves from S1 and S2 meet the screen in phase,
they undergo constructive interference and a bright fringe is
formed.
● When the waves from S1 and S2 meet the screen exactly out of
phase, they undergo destructive interference and a dark fringe
is formed.
Foucault's Contribution to Wave Theory
● Léon Foucault conducted experiments to measure the speed of
light.
● Foucault showed experimentally in 1850 that light travelled
faster in air than in water, contrary to what Newton’s corpuscular
theory.
Wave-Particle Duality (Quantum Theory)
● Introduced by Max Planck and Albert Einstein.
● Light exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties.
● Discovered by Max Planck, in 1900.
● Later, in 1905, Einstein proposed that light possessed particle
and wave characteristics. He suggested that light is made of
small particles called photons. Quantum mechanics gave proof
of the dual nature of light.
● Merged both the corpuscular and wave theories of light.

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