Dual Nature of Light
Light may show properties of a wave or of a particle, called a photon.
Newton (1680) explained light as a particle of energy. In reflection and refraction, light behaved as a particle.
Young, (circa. 1800) showed that light interfered with itself. Therefore, it must be a wave. Reflection and refraction could be explained by light being a wave.
Maxwell (1850) showed that light was a form of high frequency electromagnetic wave.
Einstein (1905) showed that in the photoelectric effect (light causing electrons to be emitted from a metal surface) light must act as a particle.
Planck (1900) developed a model that explained light as a quantization of energy. Energy of a light wave is present in bundles of energy called photons; the energy is said to be quantized into the photons.
Therefore, light must be regarded as having a dual nature; in some cases light acts as a wave; in others it acts like a particle.
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