Jump to content

Light as waves

Featured Replies

I'm trying to understand the concept of "light as waves",

As far as I know,   "wave is a disturbance in a medium" , to me it seems like wave is not an object, but it is a phenomenon.

So if light is a wave, does that mean a light is just a disturbance through medium?

 

I'm lost

16 minutes ago, Lizwi said:

As far as I know,   "wave is a disturbance in a medium" , to me it seems like wave is not an object, but it is a phenomenon.

I would say it is a mathematical description of the way the electric and magnetic fields vary regularly in a light wave. (So, yes, "phenomenon" might be the better word; definitely not an object.)

16 minutes ago, Lizwi said:

So if light is a wave, does that mean a light is just a disturbance through medium?

No. (Unless you count the oscillating electric and magnetic fields that make up the light wave as the medium.)

Just because most waves we are familiar with exist in a medium, doesn't mean that light does.

  • Author

Does Huygen's principle apply to the light?

1 hour ago, Lizwi said:

 to me it seems like wave is not an object, but it is a phenomenon.

That's fair. It's a particular kind (or class) of oscillatory behavior.

 

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.