Is light a wave or particles?

Question

I know its debatable, but what do you think?

Answer 1

It's not debatable - it's both.

Light has both wave properties (Wavelength, frequency), but it also carries with it, energy (depending upon it's wavelength and frequency) - it is electromagnetic radiation.

The more energetic electromagnetic energy, the more it acts like a particle, something with mass. Although EMR is essentially massless, it acts like a particle and can interact with the medium through with it is moving. (ohoton = packets of energy, or quanta).

E = mC^2

Answer 2

It is both. This phenomenon is known as wave particle duality.

Experimental evidence includes Young's Slits experiments which demonstrated the wave nature of light through diffraction and interference, and Einstein's analysis of the photoelectric effect highlighted the particle nature of light.

It is not only light which exhibits wave particle duality; in 1924 de Broglie put forward that all matter, not just light, exhibits wave behaviour.

Wave-particle duality is explained by quantum mechanics, whereby every particle in nature can be described by a solution to a differential equation, usually the Schrödinger equation. These solutions are wave functions (wavelike form), although the wave functions can also be described in statistical mechanics as the probability of finding a particle at a given point in space.

Answer 3

at the start, easy *is* an electromagnetic container. it quite is the interplay between the electrical powered and magnetic areas that enable the easy to propagate in a vacuum. next, easy, like numerous issues on the quantum point is the two a particle and a wave. extra extraordinarily, it quite is a risk wave the place the risk is of detection of a particle. The wave nature exhibits up in issues like interference fringes and diffraction varieties. there is likewise a wavelength and frequency linked with it. regardless of the undeniable fact that, if the intensity is very low, purely man or woman photons would be detected. Even nevertheless, the interference varieties will boost over the years. i could could element out that electrons have this comparable factors of being the two a wave and a particle. We many times think of of electrons as debris, yet in addition they coach interference varieties with beneficial and unfavorable interference. This actual exhibits an underlying cohesion in ALL elementary debris: all of them coach the two wave and particle residences with the wave being a risk wave.

Answer 4

Light cannot be categorized into either wave nor particle, the truth is there is no definitive answer. In some cases light acts like a particle (reflection) and in other cases like a wave (see young's slit experiment)

Answer 5

it can be regarded as either. the issue is not so much "debatable" anymore as it has become accepted that BOTH are simultaneously true and light has a sort of wave-particle duality.

on a side note, it is not only light, but matter as well that has this wave-particle duality. i dont have sources off the top of my head but maybe if you look up louis debroglie you can learn more.

Answer 6

If you measure for particles, you get particles. If you measure for waves, you get waves. Light has a wave/particle duality. It is both. As are electrons and other quanta.

It's like asking is this inches or centimeters in length. It depends on what kind of ruler you are using to measure with.

Answer 7

Everything is a wave. Light, matter, energy... all of it.

So since every particle is already a wave, the answer to your question is:

Yes

Answer 8

It is a wave that acts like a particle.

Answer 9

Wave

Answer 10

It shares the properties of both.
Refraction, diffraction, interference, as a wave.
Photo-electricity as particles.