The Wave-Particle Duality of light and the laws of reflection

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of wave-particle duality in light and how it relates to the laws of reflection. The question is raised about how a photon, which behaves both as a wave and a particle, can follow the same laws of reflection as a macroscopic object. The comparison is made to throwing an elastic ball and how it bounces back according to the laws of reflection. The need for further explanation and understanding is expressed, with a recommendation for a book that provides a clear explanation of this phenomenon.
  • #1
aditya ver.2.0
67
4
I wonder how the wave particle duality property of light persists with the laws of reflection? How exactly is a photon directed in the same angle (i.e. the angle of incidence) by a particle as reflection while abiding through the quantum theory and the Raman Effect?
Such as we throw an elastic ball on a cement surface at an angle of x1 , then the ball bounces back following the law of reflection owing to the normal force received by the surface. But how come a photon, i.e. absorbed and re-emitted by a particle, follow such laws?
 
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  • #2
You want to get hold of the book "QED: The strange theory of light and matter" by Richard Feynmann. It's written for a layman, and provides a good and clear explanation of how reflection works with photons.
 

1. What is the wave-particle duality of light?

The wave-particle duality of light is the concept that light can exhibit properties of both a wave and a particle. This means that light can behave as a wave, with characteristics such as diffraction and interference, but also as a particle, with properties such as momentum and energy.

2. How was the wave-particle duality of light discovered?

The wave-particle duality of light was first proposed by Albert Einstein in his theory of photoelectric effect in 1905. Later, in the 1920s, experiments by scientists such as Louis de Broglie and Werner Heisenberg further confirmed this concept.

3. What are the laws of reflection?

The laws of reflection describe the behavior of light when it is reflected off a smooth surface. The first law states that the angle of incidence (the angle between the incident ray and the normal to the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle between the reflected ray and the normal). The second law states that the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane.

4. Do the laws of reflection apply to both waves and particles of light?

Yes, the laws of reflection apply to both waves and particles of light. This is because the laws are based on the principle of conservation of energy and momentum, which applies to both waves and particles.

5. How does the wave-particle duality of light relate to the laws of reflection?

The wave-particle duality of light explains the behavior of light in both its wave and particle forms. When light is reflected off a surface, it exhibits both wave-like properties (such as diffraction) and particle-like properties (such as momentum). The laws of reflection help to explain this behavior by providing a framework for understanding how light behaves when it interacts with a surface.

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