Did Einstein Relativity postulates explain light?
2006-08-29 22:15:03 · 6 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
New theories in 21st century physics about light propagation?
2006-08-29 22:16:20 · update #1
We, (humans) understand how to make it do what we want. but we really don't know what a photon is. Just like we don't know what causes a magnetic field or electric field or gravity.
We can point to a particle and say "the force comes from there" but we really don't know why that particle projects that force. Some physicists think that the forces are projected across the 11 dimensions that mathematics predict exists.
tom
2006-08-30 00:59:56 · answer #1 · answered by a1tommyL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's electromagnetic radiation, carried by particles called photons, which under some circumstances can also appear to behave like waves.
It is well understood, but that's not to say that some new aspect of light couldn't be discovered some day.
Einstein's theories explained some aspects of light's behavior, especially how it relates to time. He also used the Michelson-Morley failed experiment to prove that the "ether" did not exist - remember, light sometimes acts like a wave? So what's waving? Theoreticians imagined a kind of interstellar smoke called ether, said THAT is what's waving, but never found it.... because it wasn't there. The photons themselves carry aspects of particles and waves. Think of a cone - look at it from one angle and it's a circle; from another angle, it's a triangle, but it's still just one object. Photons have a duality, too. Einstein got rid of the ether theory, which laid the groundwork for later work on the quantum theory.
2006-08-30 05:21:32 · answer #2 · answered by KALEL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I'm pretty sure they haven't gotten past quanta yet. That's still the best explanation going as far as I know. Einstein's general relativity didn't really 'explain' light it gave a new idea on why what we measured about light didn't match up to what we predicted about it (well, what THEY predicted most of that is way over my head)
2006-08-30 05:23:45 · answer #3 · answered by niwriffej 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
light is made of tiny energy packets called photons.
1)when a substance gains energy the random molecular motion increases.
2)when the atoms collide each gains some energy
3)this energy is transferred to the electron closest to the nucleus(in the first electron orbit)
4)this gain in energy helps the electron jump to the next electron orbit.
5)in doing this the electron uses up the energy but as energy cannot be destroyed, only transferred, this energy is sent out from the atom in the form of energy packets called 'photons'.
Photons travel as electromagnetic waves and reach our eyes which receives the energy and produces the sensation of sight.
The above process of photon emission happens only when a body gains a lot of energy(Heat),so hot substances glow.
2006-08-30 06:40:00 · answer #4 · answered by LamboMan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AS far as I know, Yin and Yang had that problem... and they could not hit the head of the nail, maybe because there is no light? :o)
2006-08-30 05:22:22 · answer #5 · answered by wacky_racer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to discover.com and check it out Friend, the world is at your finger tips!
2006-08-30 05:21:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋