Is Light A Particle Or A Wave?

Light is pretty strange. It can look like a particle and a wave, depending on how you look at it. No pun intended. Let's explore light from the very first theories we had about it to the double-slit experiment.

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Produced & Edited by:
Ardit Bicaj

Written by:
Ardit Bicaj

Narrated by:
Russell Archey

Graphics:
Space Engine
Nils Berglund

Stock footage:
/Shtamper
/PolymathDesign
/Treedeo

Music:
ES_Video Call from Los Angeles - Trevor Kowalski

Licenses used:

A big thank you to our lovely channel members:
Joseph Pacchetti
Damon Reid
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[smlankau]

When there are two observers, they are particles. If not, they are waves. If dimensions in particles are time dimensions, their change can change time instantly. Suppose the time dimensions can entangle between particles and observers. When we observe/see or measure a time dimension (when we interact with a dimension of a quantum object), that can probably entangle and change the time dimensions in both particles and observers at once. So the double-slit experiment is showing us something like a magic trick. However, the double-slit experiment showed us that the previous state in the quantum objects changed once we measured it. But during the double-slit experiment, the observer observes waves of Electrons. When Electrons hit the screen, the screen becomes another observer. And then, both the screen and the first observer (the detector) would detect particles of Electrons on instant quantum entanglements between those two observers. If we look at it like that, we can guess that the quantum objects behave like particles when observers are unentangled. And they act like waves when there is only one observer (which is entangled to itself. Perhaps splitting the screen would unentangle it).

Arguably, the dimensional sets and wave functions show the possibility of explaining that process. Suppose electric and magnetic moments in Electrons separate when the detector observes it. Then the magnetic moment can continue until it can find an electric moment on the screen or vice versa. And then a magnetic moment in the screen would go back to the Electron at the detector instantly using quantum entanglements, making two separate Electrons as complete Electrons again. But when we don't use a detector/observer, the screen becomes the only observer that can detect probabilistic positions of Electrons as waves on it. The observation is likely an interaction or interference that damages the structure of Electrons, observers, etc. We observe outputs of that damage (at the detector) with the final exchange between Electrons (on the screen). It is a logical explanation. Perhaps, a developed experiment would be able to confirm it. Thank you so much for the profound explanations.

[myfalconry]

Here’s the thing, physicist over complicating the issue. The reason that light is both a wave and a particle is the same way that Water is both a wave and a molecule.
If you’re standing on the beach, looking at the ocean watching the water, you’re gonna see the waves but if you focusing onto one molecule of water, all you’re gonna see is water molecules.
Light going through the two slits is represented the same way by Water going through two slits, a wave is created on the other side. If you observe the process, you’re gonna see water molecules going through two slits at random. Same with light, light travels in waves compromise of particles. It’s not changing from a wave to a particle. It’s just a wave of particles.

[no-hjpt]

mind blowing! we've briefly discussed the young experiment in my physics class but without the dull, boring definitions and the burden of grades and assignments its way easier to enjoy. keep up the good work, this channel is surely going places!

[SquirrelASMR]

Imagine being able to view all wavelengths at will and block out whichever ones u didn't want to see, like if u wanted to view in thermal and xray u just tell ur brain.

[aidanpeck]

I imagine it’s similar to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principal; typically, an electron can be said to be everyone around an atom all at once, but as soon as we observe it, the electron falls into a single, stable position because the light bouncing off our eyes interacts with the electron. In the case of the double slit experiment, a similar phenomenon could be happening with the particles of light when they are being observed

[gleambrite]

When we are in a movie, we are like a wave. When we stop the movie, we are a picture or particle. What constitutes or defines an "observer"? The back of the screen? A detector? Would there be a way to measure without an observer? I have a hard time understanding how they know without observation. A quanta packet makes more sense. Both a particle and a wave. Whatever happens to the individual photon and its behavior would have to be at its birth. It is a reaction to us. Entanglement is when photon gets split then observed one will be up spin so the other will be down spin. Right glove left glove scenario. Once mixed up you don't know what glove you have until you look then you know the other glove. I don't see the mystery.

[josephpacchetti]

Very Interesting Video, I distinctly remember Michio Kaku, Explaining String field theory, He was inspired to pursue a career in physics after seeing a photo of Einstein's desk at the time of his death. He had been unable to complete his unified field theory, And has dedicated his life to solving this theory, I really enjoy hearing what this man has to say in discussing such subjects, Thank you Ardit, Russ and all the great folks that make this a favorite channel, Cheers. 👍

[Dyslexic-Artist-Theory-on-Time]

The simplest explanation is that light is a wave with particle characteristics as a probabilistic future unfolds photon by photon. This idea is supported by the fact that light photon ∆E=hf energy is continuously transforming potential energy into the kinetic Eₖ=½mv² energy of matter, in the form of electrons. Kinetic energy is the energy of what is actually ‘happening’. The dynamic geometry of this process forms an uncertain ∆×∆pᵪ≥h/4π probabilistic future continuously unfolding relative to the electron probability cloud of the atoms and the wavelength of the light.

[georgeemil]

If light behaves like a wave when we are not watching it, then how do we know it's acting like a wave since we are not watching?

[wastman]

I want to know how exactly it travels as both. Is it particle that travels like wave or a wave that travels like particle?

[Dyslexic-Artist-Theory-on-Time]

Could light and matter in the form of electrons be wave over a ‘period of time’ and have particle characteristics relative to the atoms of the Periodic Table when we have the absorption and emission of light?
Is the exchange of light photon ∆E=hf energy continuously transforming potential energy into the kinetic Eₖ=½mv² energy of matter, in the form of electrons, as an uncertain ∆×∆pᵪ≥h/4π probabilistic future unfolds?

[jmcayabyab]

1. What makes light a very strange concept in science? (2 POINTS)

2. Who said that light is a wave? (1 POINT)

3. Who said that light is a particle? (1 POINT)

4. How will you differentiate reflection and refraction in simple words? (2 POINTS)

5. In the double slit experiment of Thomas Young, what is formed when
the light passed in the two slits? (1 POINT)

6. In the string theory, what makes the photon and quark differ from one another in terms on how they are formed? (1 POINT)

7. How can you say that light behave as a wave and as a particle? Justify your answer (2 POINTS)

[ericwigart]

Doesn’t the act of observation visually freeze the exited (vibrating) photon and therefore make it appear like a particle?

[zakirhussain-jsku]

Like gravitational waves, all moving objects create waves in fabric of Space. These waves are temporary in nature which dissipate as soon as object stops. Like boat object moves as object-wave system. Space waves travel at light speed & are ahead of object except light where particle & wave have same speed & photon moves as single wave-particle unit. Due microscopic size of particle wave changes its path causing interference pattern. During motion particle always remains a particle except that it has a wave associated with it.

[aucklandnewzealand]

Ocean waves with longer periods carry more energy and travel faster.

In contrast, light maintains a constant speed; the shorter the period, the more energy it exhibits during collapse.

Therefore, it cannot be described as a wave, but an alternative term may be utilized.

[ExpansionPak]

Light is a wave. Oooh hear me All EM spectra are waves. This wasn't an issue until the photoelectric effect came on the scene and put "particle" back on the table. Oscillations of the fabric of spacetime. If you look at E=hv as h- spacetime (planks constant) multiplied bt the frequency- I see "Photon" as a measurement of this differential. Look just because there was an avalanche doseny mean the trigger event was physical contact. The "impact" can be a vibration and produce the same outcome. Whereas; the electron is a Particle. It is morei pattern of more than one vibration of spacetime. There emerges the "fishnet" construct of energy warping and Carrying a wash of spacetime along, creating a differential we perceive as a separate particle. Like a bubble....that can...oh i dunno...pilot a wave. This also means spacetime is "shuttled around" 😮 i, ll tell ya about gravity and how black holes expand the entirety of the universe another random day on a different random forum.

[radinelaj]

I think if that experiment would be replaced with a canon sand( not laser canon) would happen the same thing. It means : the experiment doesn't show anything because sand is particle, that( same thing ) would happen with all things as : water, sugar grain, salt grain, sand grain etc...( the photon doesn t interfere with itself but crashes with border of slit part (ricocheted the lips/borders of the slit )

[adriangheorghe]

Lumina si in general ceeace se cheama unda sau radiatie e-m, este structura dinamica similara motorului electric liniar, constituita din circulatiile in planuri perpendiculare ale campului electric si magnetic si propulsate in lunecare hidrodinamica, prin materia inponderala a vidului, de catre forta electromagnetica. Forta care la nivelul fiecarei semiunde, este la echilibru cu farta de inertie. (B.I.L=m.a). Ceeace face translatia uniforma si rectilinie a structurilor dinamice prin vid si face sa para ca propagarea undelor.

Light, and in general what is called a wave or e-m radiation, is a dynamic structure similar to the linear electric motor, consisting of the circulations in perpendicular planes of the electric and magnetic field and propelled in hydrodynamic sliding, through the weightless matter of the vacuum, by the electromagnetic force. The force that at the level of each half-wave is in balance with the inertia force. (B.I.L=m.a). What makes the translation of the dynamic structures uniform and rectilinear through the vacuum and makes it appear like the propagation of waves.

[andreiduca]

What happens with the light after dose it go somewere with the speed of light or dose it die if yes then why

[Vivaswaan.]

When you learn about young double slit experiment, you realize that it actually is a genius idea.