Is Light a Particle or a Wave in Different Contexts?

[qnach]

Is "a light, particle or wave" an absolute question or a relative question?
Should a light be considered as a particle or as a wave depends upon the relative size of the system?

When considering a visible light relative to a basket ball should it be considered as particle, while
a visible light relative to an atom be considered as a wave?

 

[PeterDonis]

Is "a light, particle or wave" an absolute question or a relative question?

Neither. It's a misguided question, which assumes that light must be one or the other.

Should a light be considered as a particle or as a wave depends upon the relative size of the system?

No. See above.

When considering a visible light relative to a basket ball should it be considered as particle, while
a visible light relative to an atom be considered as a wave?

No. See above.

 

[Isaac0427]

Neither. It's a misguided question, which assumes that light must be one or the other.

Just to expand to help the OP, light, at all times, can be considered both a wave and a particle. In fact, as you will see on the linked page, matter is also both a wave and a particle. It is true, however, that it is sometimes more useful to think of light as either a particle or a wave, but that does not change the fact that it is both. It is just that in some situations, it is important to either focus on light's wave- or particle-like properties.

 

[ZapperZ]

Is "a light, particle or wave" an absolute question or a relative question?
Should a light be considered as a particle or as a wave depends upon the relative size of the system?

When considering a visible light relative to a basket ball should it be considered as particle, while
a visible light relative to an atom be considered as a wave?

This link gives you the FAQ that we get in this forum all the time:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/physics-faq-list.855542/

You will find an entry for this question there.

Zz.

 

[phinds]

Just to expand to help the OP, light, at all times, can be considered both a wave and a particle. In fact, as you will see on the linked page, matter is also both a wave and a particle. It is true, however, that it is sometimes more useful to think of light as either a particle or a wave, but that does not change the fact that it is both. It is just that in some situations, it is important to either focus on light's wave- or particle-like properties.

Actually, that's the best way to express it. It's a quantum object. It will ACT like a wave if you measure for wave-like characteristics, and it will ACT like a particle if you measure for particle-like characteristics, but that does not make it a wave or a particle; it is distinct from both.