Chapter U5.115, Problem 2E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The ray model, the wave model and the photon model of light needs to be described.

Concept introduction:

Three significant models are used to define optical phenomena, and all the models describe the electromagnetic radiations in three different ways.

Answer to Problem 2E

1. In ray model, a ray is as a narrow beam of light that inclines to travel in a straight line.
2. In wave model, light travels as a wave.
3. In photon model, light defines it as a group of particles named as photons.

Explanation of Solution

Ray model:

A ray is as a narrow beam of light that inclines to travel in a straight line. An illustration of a ray is the beam of light from a laser or laser pointer. In the ray model of light, a ray travels in a straight line till it strikes on any object, such as a mirror, or an interface between two unlike materials.

Wave model:

The light travel from one to another point as a form of wave, this process is known as wave model. The wave model of light describes that the light tends to travel n the straight line and

this theory describes the phenomenon of reflection. If we accept that light travels slower in object which are optically denser, then this theory describes why light gets refracted upon crossing into different material.

Photon model:

The photon model is one other model of light, it is defined as a group of particles which are called photons. These photons contain kinetic energy but do not contain rest mass.

The energy of a photon is:

$E=hf$

Where h is Planck’s constant

f is the frequency of the light.

Thus the “color” of a photon relies on its energy.