Waves and Light
Investigate how waves travel and how light works
A wave is a wiggle that carries energy from one place to another without carrying stuff along with it. Light is a special kind of wave that can travel through empty space.
- 01
Waves are disturbances that transfer energy without transferring matter.
- 02
Key wave properties include wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and speed.
- 03
Light is an electromagnetic wave that can travel through empty space.
- 04
Light exhibits both wave-like properties (diffraction, interference) and particle-like properties (photons).
- 05
The visible light spectrum is just a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which also includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
The Dual Nature of Light
Throughout history, scientists debated whether light was a wave or a particle. In the 17th century, Newton proposed that light was made of tiny particles, while Huygens suggested it was a wave. In the 19th century, Young's double-slit experiment demonstrated light's wave-like properties. Later, Einstein's work on the photoelectric effect showed that light also behaves like particles (photons). Today, we understand that light exhibits both wave and particle properties - a concept known as wave-particle duality.
Key figures
Conducted the famous double-slit experiment in 1801, demonstrating light's wave-like properties through interference patterns.
Developed the theory of electromagnetism in the 1860s, unifying electricity, magnetism, and light as manifestations of the same phenomenon.
Explained the photoelectric effect in 1905 by proposing that light consists of discrete quantum particles (photons).
Part of the Physics Playground
All exhibits