2007-05-03 11:43:47 · 9 answers · asked by Luis M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Photons.
However, remember that light exists simultaneously as both a wave and a particle, and as such it can't really be considered "matter" in the traditional sense.
2007-05-03 11:48:51 · answer #1 · answered by Terras 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light is a mid-range form of (visible) electromagnetic radiation so it is no different in composition from radio waves or x-rays.
Light is made up of extremely "light" & fast (a speed of c in a vacuum) particles that are called photons. However, light is classified as both a particle AND a wave since it displays properties of either.
Light is also an elementary particle; it is not made up of any smaller units of matter, unlike neutrons, protons, electrons and the like (which consist of three quarks each.)
Elementary particle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_particle
an article on the photon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photons
2007-05-03 21:24:26 · answer #2 · answered by Ammy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All electromagnetic radiation is emitted in little quanta, or packets of energy, called photons. Some of these photons have energy frequencies of what we call "visible light" that we can see with our human eyes.
So, to answer your question, light is not matter, it is energy. That is why it can travel at the speed of light [in a vacuum] and we cannot. We are made of matter instead of energy.
2007-05-04 10:12:54 · answer #3 · answered by quntmphys238 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light is composed of waves of photons which have no mass, only energy.
2007-05-03 20:44:32 · answer #4 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light is a 3 dimensional vortex with a speed component.
All are required to sustain a photon.
2007-05-03 19:02:36 · answer #5 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light is made up of petocles called photons that act like waves and particles. It has both properties.
2007-05-03 18:49:17 · answer #6 · answered by t_nguyen62791 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Light is made up of perpindicular oscilating electric and magnetic fields that induce each other (moving electric fields create magnetic fields, and vice versa).
http://www.monos.leidenuniv.nl/smo/index.html?basics/light.htm has a good diagram and explains light waves very well.
2007-05-03 19:57:07 · answer #7 · answered by Roman Soldier 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is made out of Photons. I don't rember what photons are but I remember that light is made out of photons from physics.
2007-05-03 18:56:14 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. Smith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
different waves
2007-05-03 18:49:19 · answer #9 · answered by saksham 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋