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Double Slit Experiment Essay

analytical Essay
541 words
541 words
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Providing the basis of nineteenth century physics, Young's Double Slit Experiment proved that light was made up of waves. During Thomas Young’s time, it was very difficult to describe the behavior of light. The predominant theory was that light was made up of particles. However, in his experiment, Young was able to observe the interaction of light waves when passed through two slits, showing the wave-like nature of light. This report will cover the reasons for Young’s experiment, the experiment itself, and its implications.
The question Thomas Young sought to resolve was whether light was made of a stream of particles or waves. Sir Isaac Newton, a strong proponent of the particle theory, showed that a white light beam passing through angled prisms would split into a spectrum at the first prism and become white light again when passed through the second prism. This proved the particle theory by disproving the wave theory, giving support to Newton’s corpuscular (particle) theory of light. However, Christiaan Huygens, a Dutch mathematician, disagreed with Newton's theory and argued tha...

In this essay, the author

  • Explains that thomas young's double slit experiment proved that light was made up of waves.
  • Explains how thomas young sought to resolve whether light was made of a stream of particles or waves. sir isaac newton proved the particle theory by disproving the wave theory, giving support to newton’s corpuscular theory of light.
  • Explains young's experiment where sunlight passes through a single slit and then through two thin, parallel slits. light particles, like balls, would pass straight through and make an exact pattern on the other side.
  • Explains that when young began his experiment, the screen showed an interference pattern of light and dark fringes. this can only be explained by the wave theory.
  • Explains how thomas young developed an equation that relates a light’s wavelength, the separation between slits, distance between the
  • Analyzes how the results of young's experiment confused physicists because they didn't know how light could travel in particles and behave like a wave.
  • Summarizes young's double slit experiment, which showed that light could behave like a wave, allowing physicists to delve deeper into quantum mechanics.
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