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Light, which exists in tiny "packets" called photons, exhibits properties of both waves and particles. This property is referred to as the wave-particle duality.
One of the wave-like properties of light is that it reflects off surfaces. Among other things, this reflection allows us to see images in mirrors. We see the images in mirrors as apparently coming from behind the mirror because our eyes interpret it in this manner. But when we see ourselves reflected in the mirror and raise our left arm, the image apparently raises its right arm.
Another property is the speed of light, which is the fastest anything has been observed to move. In a vacuum, the speed is 300 million meters per second. At that speed, it takes light one ten thousandth of a second to travel around the earth. When light enters a material, it slows down. The amount depends on the material it enters and it's density. For example, light travels about 30% slower in water than it does in a vacuum, while in diamonds, which is about the most dense material, it travels at about half the speed it does in a vacuum. This slowing down of light plays a role in another property, refraction.
Refraction means that light bends when it passes from one medium to another. When light enters a denser medium from one that is less dense, it bends toward a line normal to the boundary between the two media. The greater the density difference between the two media, the more the light bends. This property is used with respect to optical devices such as microscopes, corrective lenses for vision, magnifying lenses, and so on.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoit exibits both wave and particle characteristics.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoAccording to newton, light is particulate. According to hydgens, it is wave. but Einstein proved that light is dual nature. both particulate as well as wave nature.
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∙ 15y agowhat does the behavior of light mean?
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoAs properties of particles.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoOptics
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What are the ways that light behave?
Light behaves in TWO ways. It has the properties of BOTH Waves and Particles in its motion and transmission.
The intensity of light waves is a measure of what?
The intensity of light waves is a measure of the energy that is carried by the waves. Light waves are electromagnetic waves.
How are light waves created?
light is not composed of waves .it is a form of energy . i think the waves in light are not created because there is no reason for the creation of waves in light
How do light waves differ from seismic waves?
light waves are transversal, seismic waves are longitudinal.
Which travels at a greater speed light waves or sound waves?
Light Waves.
How are light waves different than other waves?
Light waves are waves but behave like a particle. They are also mass less.
Light exhibits characteristics of waves particles both waves and particles neither waves nor particles?
Yes, light has both properties of light, and waves.
What are two things that are the same about all light waves?
All light waves behave in two ways, simultaneously. Light of any kind acts as both a wave and a ray.
What are the ways that light behave?
Light behaves in TWO ways. It has the properties of BOTH Waves and Particles in its motion and transmission.
Why the diffraction of light is not same as that of sound waves?
Oh but it is. When they encounter sharp edges, light and sound behave exactly the same ... in terms of their wavelengths.
Unless a hypothesis can be found to be false it is not a scientific inquiry?
I have an hypothesis that light waves are made up of particles. This is a valid scientific inquiry yet it cannot be proved false, because under certain circumstances, light waves behave like particles.
Electromagnetic radiation behaves like a particle when it?
Light can behave as a particle and a wave at the same time. An example of light acting as both a particle and a wave is the digital camera---the lens refracts (bends and focuses) waves of light that hit a charge-coupled device (CCD). The photons kick electrons out of the silicon in the CCD. The electrons are detected by electronics that interpret the number of electrons released and their position of release from the silicon to create an image. Another example is when you observe the build-up of the alternating light and dark pattern from diffraction (a wave phenomenon) from light passing through a narrow slit. You see one bright spot (a photon), then another bright spot (another photon), then another... until the diffraction pattern is created from all of the accumulated photons. This happens so quickly that it is undetectable to the human eye.
The intensity of light waves is a measure of what?
The intensity of light waves is a measure of the energy that is carried by the waves. Light waves are electromagnetic waves.
How are light waves created?
light is not composed of waves .it is a form of energy . i think the waves in light are not created because there is no reason for the creation of waves in light
How are ultraviolet waves different from light waves?
Ultraviolet waves are smaller than light waves.
How do light waves differ from seismic waves?
light waves are transversal, seismic waves are longitudinal.
Are sound waves stronger than light waves?
No because light waves are stronger and brighter and sound waves are light and dull
