Chapter 27, Problem 15P

To determine

Table that show expected observation of a particle theory of light and wave theory of light.

Answer to Problem 15P

Solution:

Table that show expected observation of light is as follows:

Wave nature	Particle nature
Light is supposed to travel as wave
Spectral lines in hydrogen spectrum
	Diffraction of light through narrow slit

Explanation of Solution

Initially light was considered to be travelling as a wave, and to prove the wave nature of the light several different experiments were performed. The property which describe the wave nature of light are interference, diffraction, reflection, etc.

Then Einstein proposed his particle theory, in which light was assumed to be travelling in a packet of quanta (particle), which shows the particle nature of light, and then after many scientists proved particle nature of light. The property that shows the particle nature of light are Compton effect, scattering, Raman effect etc. But still, light is assumed to be travelling as both particle and wave.

The expected observation of a particle theory of light and wave theory of light are tabulated below:

Wave nature	Particle nature
Light is supposed to travel as wave
Spectral lines in hydrogen spectrum
	Diffraction of light through narrow slit