A. Light has a dual nature 1.Sometimes it behaves like a particle (called a photon), which explains how light travels in straight lines 2. Sometimes it behaves like a wave, which explains how light bends (or diffracts) around an object 3. Scientists accept the evidence that supports this dual nature of light (even though it intuitively doesn't make sense to us!) The dual nature of light refers to the fact that light can act as both a wave and a particle. Albert Einstein's photoelectric effect experiment proves that light can behave as a particle while Thomas Young's double-slit experiment shows that it also behaves as a wave. B. Quantum Theory 1. Light is thought to consist of tiny bits of energy that behave like particles called photons a. Particles explain how light travels in straight lines or reflects off of mirrors Electromagnetic radiat...
Optics for Optometry