does the photoelectric effect prove that light is made of particles? do inference experiments prove that light is composed of waves?(is there a distinction between what something is and how it behaves)
2007-02-25 11:00:13 · 1 answers · asked by Bayslappers 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The prevalent wave theory, even though waves carry momentum, could not explain the photoelectric effect, particularly the point that there is a threshold frequency below which electrons don't escape the metal surface. Einstein was able to use a simple equation based on the Planck's relationship that light is a particle to explain the phenomenon.
EM wave behave dual effects: particle and wave. These two were considered incompatible at the time. But 100 years of quantum mechanics have pretty overcome this issue. Even electrons have wave properties
2007-02-25 11:14:34 · answer #1 · answered by Sir Richard 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋