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Question 1
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There are two opposing theories of light: the particle theory and the wave theory. According to the particletheory, light is composed of a stream of tiny particles that are subject to the same physical laws as other typesof elementary particles. One consequence of this is that light particles should travel in a straight line unless anexternal force acts on them. According to the wave theory, light is a wave that shares the characteristics ofother waves. Among other things, this means that light waves should interfere with each other under certainconditions.In support of the wave theory of light, Thomas Young’s double slit experiment proves that light does indeedexhibit interference. Figure 1 shows the essential features of the experiment. Parallel rays of monochromaticlight pass through two narrow slits and are projected onto a screen. Constructive interference occurs at certainpoints on the screen, producing bright areas of maximum light intensity. Between these maxima, destructiveinterference produces light intensity minima. The positions of the maxima are given by the equation d sin θ= nλ,where d is the distance between the slits, θ is the angle shown in Figure 1, the integer n specifies the particularmaxima, and λ is the wavelength of the incident light. (Note: sin θ ≈ tan θ ≈ θ for small angles.)
Figure 1Which of the following supports the particle theory of light?Section: Physical Sciences
Answer: A
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