Light Wave Particle Confusion: Can 2 Exist in Same Place?

[Emanresu56]

My physics textbook said waves can exist in the same place at the same time. If that's true, then can light, which is a wave/particle, exist at the same place at the same time with another wave/particle of light? I'm assuming the idea holds true for electromagnetic waves.

For some background, I'm a high school student and I'm currently failing physics. But I understand the concepts of physics (it's the mathematics that gets me) probably more than anyone else in the class. :)

And this isn't a question necessary for my grade, I just thought of it but didn't think about asking the teacher.

 

[Tac-Tics]

Yes. Two light waves can occupy the same space at the same time.

Quantum mechanically, photons belong to the class of particles known as bosons. Bosons are particles which tend toward the same state (the product of spin, position, and other quantum properties) as opposed to fermions such as electrons which never exist in the same state.

As electromagnetic waves, you get similar results. Disturbances in the electric and magnetic fields add together in a linear way. When the waves intersect one another, they form a more complicated wave until they pass each other, and reappear in their original forms.

 

[Entropia]

I can confirm that your textbook is correct in stating that waves can exist in the same place at the same time. This is known as superposition, where two or more waves can overlap and coexist in the same space.

In the case of light, which is both a wave and a particle, it is possible for two light waves/particles to exist in the same place at the same time. This is because light behaves as a wave when traveling through space, but when it interacts with matter, it behaves as a particle. Therefore, in the vacuum of space, two light waves can overlap and exist in the same place, but when they interact with matter, they behave as individual particles.

This concept holds true for all electromagnetic waves, as they all exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties. It is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics and has been experimentally proven.

I commend you for your interest and understanding of physics, and I encourage you to continue exploring and asking questions. Remember, understanding the concepts is just as important as mastering the mathematics. Keep up the good work!