Chapter 31, Problem 1RCQ

To determine

To state:

Which theory of light- particle or wave Young, Maxwell and Hertz supported.

Answer to Problem 1RCQ

Solution:

Young, Maxwell and Hertz supported the wave theory of light.

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

There are two theories of light- particle theory and wave theory.

Thomas Young allowed light from a source to fall of two closely spaced pinholes and placed a screen at a distance from the pinholes. A series of bright and dark fringes were formed on the screen. The bright fringes were formed by the constructive interference between the two waves that were emitted by the pinholes and the dark fringes were formed due to destructive interference. The Young’s double slit experiment demonstrated the wave nature of light since particles can never produce an interference pattern, while two waves can.

James Clark Maxwell proposed that light waves were electromagnetic waves which were produced by accelerated charges. Light travelled in a medium due to oscillating electric and magnetic fields, which sustained each other.
Heinrich Hertz allowed a spark to pass between two charged spheres and detected the energy using a detector placed far away from the source. Hertz’s experiment also supported the wave nature of light.

Conclusion:

Young, Maxwell and Hertz supported the wave theory of light by performing experiments and arriving at suitable conclusions on the basis of their experiments.