Light Wave/Particle: Newton vs. Hooks

Thread starter seto6
Start date Jun 23, 2010
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Light

In summary, light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can be described as both a wave and a particle. Sir Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke were influential scientists in the study of light, with Newton proposing the idea of light particles and Hooke introducing the concept of light as a wave. Newton's theory focused on light particles interacting with matter, while Hooke's theory emphasized the diffractive and bending nature of light waves. In modern science, both theories are used to understand the complexities of light in its wave-particle duality.

Jun 23, 2010

seto6

Newton thought of it as particle and hooks thought of it as wave correct?
if not correct me

seto
thanks in advance

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Jun 23, 2010

seto6

i think this is correct if not please correct me.. so sure but still

1. What is the difference between a light wave and a light particle?

A light wave is a form of electromagnetic radiation that travels through space in a wave-like manner, while a light particle (or photon) is a discrete bundle of energy that carries the properties of both a particle and a wave.

2. Who were Newton and Hooke, and how are they related to the study of light?

Sir Isaac Newton and Robert Hooke were both influential scientists in the 17th century. Newton is known for his theories on light and color, while Hooke is known for his contributions to the study of light as a wave.

3. What were the main ideas of Newton's theory of light?

Newtons believed that light was made up of tiny particles, which he called corpuscles, that traveled in a straight line and interacted with matter to produce color. He also believed that light particles were responsible for the refraction and reflection of light.

4. How did Hooke's theory differ from Newton's?

Hooke believed that light was a wave, and that it could be diffracted and bent as it passed through different mediums. He also proposed the idea of light having different wavelengths, which is now a fundamental concept in the study of light.

5. Which theory is more widely accepted in modern science?

In modern science, light is understood to exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, known as wave-particle duality. Both Newton's and Hooke's theories contributed to our understanding of light, and are still relevant in different aspects of science today.