Wave Theory Of Light (Noun)
Meaning
(physics) the theory that light is transmitted as waves.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The wave theory of light, proposed by Christiaan Huygens, explains how light travels in terms of wavefronts and frequency.
- The discovery of light diffraction and interference patterns supported the wave theory of light over the particle theory.
- Erwin Schrödinger's equation is an extension of the wave theory of light to apply to all matter in quantum mechanics.
- Albert Einstein later argued that light actually behaves as both particles and waves in his development of wave-particle duality.
- By combining principles from both Newtonian and wave theory of light, Maxwell formulated his electromagnetic theory of light.