What experiment proved that light behaves as a wave?

In summary, light is described as having a dual nature, behaving both as a particle and a wave. The wave-like behavior of light was supported by the results of the Young's double slit experiment, which showed bands of dark and light when light was passed through two slits. For the particle nature of light, Einstein's work on the photoelectric effect, for which he won the Nobel Prize, provided evidence for the existence of photons.
  • #1
RachelSSS
15
0
light is described as having a dual nature-- behaves as a particle and wave.
(a) describe a pivotal experiment that offered support for the wave model of light. Indicate the wave like behavious in the experiment.
(b) SAme thing but for a particle



FOr the light as a wave I was thinking maybe Youngs double slit experiment. Because if light exist as a wave it would produce bands of dark and light.

For light as a particle, Einstein did somethign with photons?

Im really not sure. any help appreciated
 
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  • #2
photoelectric effect, look it up for the actual description of what Einstein did

Fun fact: Einstein won the Nobel prize for his work on the photoelectric effect, not relativity
 
  • #3
Thanks! so everything else i said was right?
 

1. Is light a wave or a particle?

Light is both a wave and a particle. It exhibits properties of both, known as wave-particle duality, and the behavior of light depends on the experimental setup.

2. How does the wave-particle duality of light work?

In some experiments, light behaves like a wave, with properties such as diffraction and interference. In others, it behaves like a particle, with properties such as photoelectric effect and particle scattering. This duality is explained by quantum mechanics.

3. What experiments support the wave nature of light?

Experiments such as double-slit experiment, Young's experiment, and diffraction grating experiments demonstrate the wave behavior of light. These experiments show that light can interfere with itself, which is a characteristic of waves.

4. What experiments support the particle nature of light?

The photoelectric effect, Compton effect, and particle scattering experiments support the particle nature of light. These experiments show that light can behave as discrete packets of energy, known as photons, which is a characteristic of particles.

5. Can light ever be observed as both a wave and a particle at the same time?

No, light can only be observed as either a wave or a particle, depending on the experimental setup. This is because the act of observing or measuring light affects its behavior, known as the observer effect.

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