Unit 20

The Dual Nature of Light

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 1

Introduction 3

Essential Questions 4

Review 4

Lesson 20.1: General Behavior of Light 5

Objectives 5
Warm-Up 5
Learn about It 6
Key Points 10
Web Links 11
Check Your Understanding 11
Challenge Yourself 12

Lesson 20.2: Wave Behavior of Light 13

Objectives 13
Warm-Up 13
Learn about It 14
Key Points 17
Web Links 18
Check Your Understanding 18
Challenge Yourself 19

Lesson 20.3: Dual Nature of Light (Part I): Corpuscles, Plenum, and Aether 20
Objective 20
Warm-Up 20
Learn about It 21
Key Points 25
Web Links 25
Check Your Understanding 26
 Challenge Yourself 27

Lesson 20.4: Dual Nature of Light (Part II): Electromagnetic Waves and Photons 28
Objectives 28
Warm-Up 28
Learn about It 29
Key Points 33
Web Links 33
Check Your Understanding 34
Challenge Yourself 34

Laboratory Activity 35

Performance Task 36

Self Check 38

Key Words 38

Wrap Up 40

Photo Credits 40

References 41

2
GRADE 11/12 | PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Unit 20
The Dual Nature of Light

Many everyday activities and cycles include utilizing the behavior of light as an
abiotic factor or simply an agent used for human beings for visual observation.
Such cycle and processes include photosynthesis as absorption of light,
bioluminescence of fireflies, dispersion of light in rainbows, and even as simple as
activities like looking at your reflection in the mirror. However, behaviors of light do
not utilize the same “nature” of light or could be explained by this. Such example is
the scattering behavior of light which could only be explained by defining light as a
wave. As simple and as wonderful as it seems, underlying the beautiful view of the
sunset is the mechanism of light scattering.

In this unit, the dual nature of light would be explained and differentiated. This
could give a different perspective, or perhaps a debate, on whether light is really a
wave or a particle.

3
 Essential Questions

At the end of this unit, you should be able to answer the following questions.

● What are the behaviors of light that could be explained by defining light as a
wave? How about light as a particle?
● What will happen to light when it is reflected, refracted, transmitted, or
absorbed?
● How can the propagation of light, reflection, and refraction be explained by
the wave model and the particle model of light?
● How can the light scattering, diffraction, and interference be explained by the
wave model of light?
● How did Newton and Descartes describe the emergence of light in various
colors through prisms?
● Why is there a continuous debate on the dual nature of light?

Review

● Electromagnetic waves are waves that are made of electric and magnetic
field components. They do not need a medium to propagate, hence, they can
travel through space.
● Light exhibits different behaviors when it encounters a medium.
● Light, as well as EM waves, exhibit different behaviors when it encounters a
medium. Some of the behaviors of light discussed previously were reflection,
refraction, dispersion, absorption, interference, diffraction,
transmission, and scattering.
● A collision or crash is an event in which two or more bodies exert forces on
each other for a relatively short time. In analyzing and describing collision,
the mass, the momentum, and the energy of each colliding body are
considered.

4
 Lesson 20.1: General Behavior of Light

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to:
● describe what happens when the light is reflected, refracted,
transmitted, and absorbed, and;
● describe how the propagation of light, reflection, and refraction
are explained by the wave model and the particle model of light.

General behaviors of light include reflection, refraction, transmission, absorption,

dispersion, interference, scattering, and diffraction. At least one of these behaviors
are exhibited when light is protruded or overcomes a medium. Which behaviors of
light could be explained by both the particle and wave models of light?

Warm-Up

Let EM See!
Materials:
● laser light ● thick lens
● mirror ● prism
● thin clear glass

Procedure:
1. Point the laser light at an angle projected on the mirror. Observe what
happens.
2. Allow the light from the laser pass through the thin glass. Observe what
happens.
3. Allow the light from the laser pass through the thick glass. Observe what
happens.
4. Using the sunlight (or white light), position the prism such that it disperses a
band of colors. Observe what happens.

5
Guide Questions:
1. What behaviors of light was exhibited in steps 1 to 4? Why do you think this
happened?
2. Do these behaviors of light be explained by the particle model? How can you
say so?
3. Do these behaviors of light be explained by the wave model? How can you
say so?
4. Is it possible for a behavior of light to both exhibit a wave and particle
property? Why?

Learn about It

Reflection
Reflection is the bouncing of light when it reaches a reflecting surface or the
boundary between two media. The ray of light that hits the reflecting surface or
boundary is called the incident ray. The ray of light that bounced back is called the
refracted ray. The incident ray and the reflected ray form angles with the normal
line, a line perpendicular to the reflecting surface. These angles are called angle of
incidence and angle of reflection, respectively. The law of reflection states that
the angle of incidence, the angle of reflection, and the normal line are found on the
same plane, and the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Fig. 1. Law of reflection.

There are two types of reflection: specular and diffuse. Specular reflection occurs
when light strikes a smooth surface, and light rays are reflected in one direction,
forming the image of the source of incident rays. You can see yourself in the mirror

6
because of specular reflection. Diffuse reflection occurs when light strikes a rough
surface, and light rays are reflected in random directions. Light reflected through
diffuse reflection allows us to see most objects around us.

Fig. 2. Specular reflection and diffuse reflections of light.

Refraction
Refraction is the bending of light due to the change in its speed when it obliquely
passes two different media. The refractive index of a material, n, is the ratio of the
speed of light in a vacuum, c, and the speed of light in that material, v. Note that c =
3.00 × 108 m/s and v is a value of speed that is always lower than c. Thus, n is always
greater than 1.

Fig. 3. Incident and refracted rays passing through a certain medium.

7
When light travels from a medium with a low refractive index to a medium with a
higher refractive index, it slows down and refracts closer to the normal line. When
light travels from a medium with a high refractive index to a medium with a lower
refractive index, it speeds up and refracts away from the normal line. The light ray
that is entering a new medium is called the incident ray, whereas the ray within
that new medium is called the refracted ray.

Transmission
Transmission is the passing of light through a material without being absorbed,
such as light passing through a glass as transmitted light. The extent of the
transmission of light depends on the type of the material. Transparent and
translucent materials transmit light, but opaque materials do not. If light is not
transmitted, it may have been reflected or absorbed.

Fig. 4. Transmission of light through a glass

Absorption
Absorption of light occurs when light strikes a material, and the energy that it
carries is absorbed by the atoms of the material and is converted into thermal
energy. White light is composed of different components of a spectrum: red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet (ROYGBV). When an object reflects all the
components of light, it appears white.

8
However, when an object absorbs all the components of light, it appears black. An
object that appears with a particular color means that the object absorbs most of
the colors and reflects only the color of the object.

Fig. 5. The leaf absorbs all the frequencies of light except for green.
The green color is reflected and perceived by the observer’s eyes.

Dispersion
Dispersion is the separation of white light into colors due to refraction. White light
is composed of the different colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. There
are no discrete boundaries between colors, and in some reference materials, indigo
is regarded as separate color instead of being part of blue.

Fig. 6. Dispersion of white light into several colors

9
 Key Points

● Reflection is the bouncing of light when it reaches a reflecting surface or the

boundary between two media.
● Refraction is the bending of light due to the change in its speed when it
obliquely passes two different media.
● Transmission is the passing of light through a material without being
absorbed, such as light passing through a glass as transmitted light.
● Absorption of light occurs when light strikes a material, and the energy that
it carries is absorbed by the atoms of the material and is converted into
thermal energy.
● Dispersion is the separation of white light into colors due to refraction.

Web Links

For further information on general behaviors of light, you can check the following
web links:
● Watch this video to learn more about on how dispersion of light
happens.
Tutor Vista. 2010. ‘Dispersion Of White Light.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fl0GZsBhGo

● Play this simulation to find out how light behaves as it passes

from one medium to another.
University of Colorado - PhET. 2018. ‘Bending Light.’
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/bending-light

10
 Check Your Understanding

A. Read and analyze the following statements. Identify what is being described
in each statement.
1. It is a type of reflection that occurs when light strikes a smooth surface.
2. It is the law that states that the angle of incidence, the angle of reflection,
and the normal line are found on the same plane, and the angle of
incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
3. It is a type of reflection that occurs when light strikes a rough surface, and
light rays are reflected in random directions.
4. It is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum and the speed of light in
that material.
5. It is the separation of white light into colors due to refraction.
6. It is a behavior of light exhibited when light passes through a material
without being absorbed.
7. It occurs when light strikes a material, and the energy that it carries is
absorbed by the atoms of the material and is converted into thermal
energy.
8. It is the bending of light due to the change in its speed when it obliquely
passes two different media.
9. It is the light ray that is entering a new medium.
10. It is the light ray within the new medium.

B. Read and analyze the following statements given. Write T if the statement is
true and F if it is false.
1. White light is composed of different components of a spectrum: red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet (ROYGBV).
2. There are no discrete boundaries between colors, and in some reference
materials, indigo is regarded as separate color instead of being part of
blue.
3. When light travels from a medium with a low refractive index to a
medium with a higher refractive index, it slows down and refracts closer
to the normal line.
4. You can see yourself in the mirror because of diffuse reflection.
5. Reflection, refraction, transmission, absorption, and dispersion are the
behaviors of light that can be explained by both particle and wave
models.

11
 Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions accordingly.

1. How is the propagation of light explained by the wave model and the particle
model of light?
2. How is the reflection of light explained by the wave model and the particle
model of light?
3. How is the refraction of light explained by the wave model and the particle
model of light?
4. Is it possible for a behavior of light to only behave like a wave? Name a
particular light behavior to support your answer.
5. Is it possible for a behavior of light to only behave as a particle? Name a
particular light behavior to support your answer.

12
 Lesson 20.2: Wave Behavior of Light

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to:
● describe how light scattering, diffraction, and interference are
explained by the wave model of light; and,
● differentiate dispersion, scattering, interference, and diffraction.

Scattering, diffraction, and interference are also the observed behaviors of light.
Unlike reflection, refraction, transmission, absorption, and dispersion, they can only
be explained in terms of the wave nature of light. Is it possible that light could
only behave as a wave? Why do some behaviors of light only exhibit this
nature?

Warm-Up
Visible Light Spectrum Paper Plate
Materials:
● cardboard or index card
● 25 centavo coin
● laser
● scissors

Procedure:
1. On a cardboard or index card, cut a small rectangular slit as narrow as 25
centavo coin or narrower.
2. Hold a laser pointer and let it shine on a wall (or any flat surface).
3. Hold the cardboard with slit and let a laser light pass through it before
reaching the wall. Note what happens to the projection of the laser on the
wall.

13
Guide Questions
1. What happens to the laser light projected when it passed through the slitted
card?
2. What behavior of light was exhibited?
3. How does light behave in the experiment? (wave or period) Why?

Learn about It

Scattering
Light scattering occurs when particles (such as those in the atmosphere) absorb
light and scatter it in all directions. Scattering of light components depends on the
size of the particles. Small particles scatter components of short wavelengths,
whereas larger particles scatter longer wavelengths. A wavelength is a distance
from any point along the wave to the next identical point on the next wave.

The atmosphere is abundant in nitrogen and oxygen particles, which can scatter
higher frequency components of white light. The particles in the atmosphere
scatter violet the most, followed by blue, green, and so on. The scattering that
depends on the relative size of the particles and the wavelength of light is called
Rayleigh scattering. Human eyes are more sensitive to blue frequencies of light,
which is why you see the sky as blue.

Fig. 7. Rayleigh scattering causes the sky to become blue in color.

14
Clouds appear white because the water droplets in the clouds are large enough to
scatter all the wavelengths of visible light equally. This type of scattering, which
scatters mostly white light and depends less on the wavelength, is known as Mie
scattering.

Diffraction
Diffraction is the spreading of light when it encounters an obstacle or an opening.
The amount of diffraction depends on the size of the opening and the wavelength
of light. When the opening is smaller, the diffraction is greater, as shown in Fig. 7A
and 7B. When the wavelength is longer, the diffraction is greater, as shown in Fig.
7A and 7C.

Fig. 8. Diffraction of light with different wavelengths and different slit sizes. Note
that the distance between two lines corresponds to the wavelength.

Diffraction effects are sometimes not helpful when viewing objects under a
microscope. When the wavelength of light has the same size as the object,
diffraction blurs the image. When the wavelength of light is larger than the size of
the object, there is no image seen. Diffraction is also observed in other forms of
wave, such as ripples on water and sound, suggesting that diffraction is a behavior
of a wave.

Interference
Interference is the combination of two or more waves into one wave whenever
they pass through the same point. Destructive interference happens when the
opposite parts of two waves meet. For example, a crest of one wave meets the
trough of another wave. This type of interference results in the cancellation of the
two waves. Constructive interference, on the other hand, happens when
identical parts of two waves meet. For example, the crest of one wave meets the
crest of another wave of the same wavelength. It results in a new wave with the
same wavelength but twice the amplitude.

15
 Fig. 9. Destructive and constructive interference of waves.

Fig. 10 shows the diffraction of light from two sources or openings. As the waves
from these two openings meet, they interfere and produce interference patterns.
The right fringes are the areas where the waves interfere constructively, whereas
the dark fringes are the areas where the waves interfere destructively.

Fig. 10. Interference pattern produced by diffraction from two adjacent slits.

16
 Key Points

● Light scattering occurs when particles (such as those in the atmosphere)

absorb light and scatter it in all directions.
● Diffraction is the spreading of light when it encounters an obstacle or an
opening.
● Interference is the combination of two or more waves into one wave
whenever they pass through the same point.
○ Destructive interference happens when the opposite parts of the
two waves meet.
○ Constructive interference happens when identical parts of two
waves meet.
● Scattering, diffraction, and interference are the behaviors of light that
behaves as a wave.

Web Links

For further information on wave behaviors of light, you can check the following web
links:

● Read this article to understand more on how light behaves as a

wave.
Las Cumbres Observatory. 2018. ‘Light as a Wave.’
https://lco.global/spacebook/light-wave/

● Watch this video to know why the moon turns red during lunar
eclipses.
Tech Insider. 2018. ‘Why The Moon Turns Red During A Total Lunar Eclipse.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzorkQxyc-g

17
 Check Your Understanding

A. Read and analyze the following statements given. Determine which behavior
of light is being described in each item.
1. It occurs when particles absorb light and the medium scatter it in all
directions.
2. It is the combination of two or more waves into one wave whenever they
pass through the same point.
3. It may sometimes depend on the relative size of the particles and the
wavelength of light.
4. It is the reason for reddish sunsets and blue skies.
5. It is the spreading of light when it encounters an obstacle or an opening.
6. It can either be constructive or destructive.
7. It is affected by the abundant in nitrogen and oxygen particles, which can
scatter higher frequency components of white light.
8. When the opening is smaller, this is greater.
9. When the wavelength is longer, this is greater.
10. Its effects are sometimes not helpful when viewing objects under a
microscope.

B. Read and analyze the following situations given. Determine the particular
wave behavior of light exhibited by each of the following situations. Explain
also how these behaviors are being depicted on each situation.

Scenario Wave Behavior Explanation

of Light

1. During a full solar eclipse,

the light from the sun
transcends through the
atmosphere of earth and
was reflected by the
surface of the moon.

2. The wall separating a

well-lit room and a dark
room has a tiny hole.

18
 3. Two flashlights are
positioned adjacent to each
other.

4. Three street lights were

lined at the pavement of a
street.

5. The sun sets at 6 o’clock

PM.

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions.

1. How do diffraction and interference demonstrate the wave nature of light?
2. Does diffraction also occur on sound? Does it behave like a wave? Why?
3. Which will diffract more: red light or blue light? Why?
4. If the composition of the atmosphere would be changed into oxygen only,
would the color of the sunset change?
5. If there are two adjacent light source in a set-up, how can one conclude that
there is a destructive interference?

19
 Lesson 20.3: Dual Nature of Light (Part I):
Corpuscles, Plenum, and Aether

Objective
In this lesson, you should be able to:
● explain how Newton and Descartes described the emergence of
light in various colors through prisms.

Two scientists, Descartes and Newton, studied the behavior of light. Separately,
they conducted experiments using a prism to explain the emergence of the colors
of light. Descartes subscribed to the wave model, whereas Newton subscribed to
the particle model. Christiaan Huygens would later have a wave model that was
quite different from that of Descartes. Why did the three scientists have
different observations and findings on the nature of light?

Warm-Up
Wave Challenge
Materials:
● transparent drinking glass
● water (to fill half of the glass)
● colored stick

Procedure:
1. Fill a glass with with water until it
2. Submerge half of the colored stick a water contained in a glass.
3. Observe what happens to the colored stick. Take note of your observations.

Guide Questions:
1. How does light behave as a particle and/or as a wave?
2. What behavior of light was exhibited?

20
 Learn about It

Rene Descartes and the Wave Nature of Light

René Descartes (1596–1650) studied and explained the concept of refraction with
the assumption that light is a wave. In one of his experiments, he produced a
rainbow by using a water-filled glass sphere and sunlight. He explained that
refraction of light caused the formation of rainbows. Descartes studied the
refraction and emergence of colors of light in a prism. He observed that the
different colors of light are refracted at varying degrees. He noted that the red light
refracted more than the violet light.

René Descartes Descartes’ actual sketch of how

(1596 - 1650) a rainbow is formed

Fig. 11. René Descartes and his actual sketch of formation of rainbows.

Descartes explained the wave nature of light using the concept of the plenum, an
invisible substance occupying all space not occupied by matter. This plenum was
made of small spherical particles that rotate with the same speed. He thought that
light was a disturbance traveling through the plenum. Descartes noted that when
these particles passed through the prism and encountered slit on the edge, their
rotational speed would change. The different colors seen are due to the different
rotational speeds of the plenum particles.

21
Isaac Newton and the Particle Nature of Light
Isaac Newton (1643–1727) proposed the corpuscular theory of light, which states
that light was composed of tiny particles called corpuscles that travel in a straight
line and can travel through a vacuum.

Isaac Newton Refraction and reflection according

(1643 - 1727) to the particle model

Fig. 12. Isaac Newton and his particle model of light in reflection and refraction.

In an experiment that involves prism, he observed that the red light refracted the
least, whereas the violet light refracted the most. According to Newton, this
difference in refraction occurred due to the differences in the mass of the colors of
light. Red light corpuscles are the most massive and deflected the least, whereas
violet corpuscles are the least massive and deflected the most.

Refraction was explained by the presence of a force at the interface of two media.
This force was directed toward the medium with a higher refractive index and could
deflect the path of corpuscles. Reflection was explained as the bouncing of light
corpuscles on a surface similar to a ball. Corpuscles traveling side-by-side would hit
the reflecting surface at different times, causing the reversal of image.

Christiaan Huygens and the Wave Nature of Light

Christiaan Huygens (1629–1695) proposed a wave model that was different from
that of Descartes. Huygens’ light is that of a longitudinal wave in which the medium
moves in the same line as the wave.

22
 Christiaan Huygens Reflection and refraction according
(1629 - 1695) to the wave model

Fig. 13. Christiaan Huygens and his wave model of light in reflection and refraction.

He also proposed that light travels through the aether, which, like plenum, also
encompasses all space unoccupied by any other particle. This is the same aether
that, according to ancient Greeks, is the element that constitutes the stars and
planets as well as the celestial spheres on which they are mounted.

Moreover, he described refraction as the difference in the speed of a wave in two

different media while reflection was the bouncing of light on reflecting surface or a
material it cannot pass through, similar to the echo of sound and ocean waves
bouncing on a shore. The waves turn back and produce a reverse image.

Fig. 14. The bouncing of ocean waves as it reaches the shore depicts reflection as a
wave property of light.

23
 Key Points

● René Descartes studied and explained the concept of refraction with the
assumption that light is a wave. He explained the wave nature of light using
the concept of the plenum.
● Isaac Newton proposed the corpuscular theory of light, which states that
light was composed of tiny particles called corpuscles that travel in a straight
line and can travel through a vacuum.
● Christiaan Huygens explained that light travels through the aether, which,
like plenum, also encompasses all space unoccupied by any other particle.

Web Links

For further information on dual nature of light, you can check the following web
links:

● Read more about Newton’s theory of light and other scientists

who proposed that light is a wave.
Klus, Helen. n.d. ‘Chapter 3. Newton’s theory of Light.’
http://www.thestargarden.co.uk/Newtons-theory-of-light.html

● Watch this video to understand how Huygen proposed the

wave theory of light.
Physics4students. 2017. ‘Huygens Wave Theory | Physics Animation.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy02Cmc4StU

● Watch this another video to find out how light behaves as a

particle and a wave.
Ted-Ed. 2013. ‘Is light a particle or a wave? - Colm Kelleher.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1yIApZtLos

24
 Check Your Understanding

A. Complete the following passage by filling in the correct words/names of

scientists.

Corpuscles, Plenum, and Aether

The two scientists who studied the behavior of light were René Descartes and
____________. Separately, they conducted experiments using a prism to explain
the emergence of the ____________ of light. Descartes subscribed to
____________ model, whereas Newton subscribed to ____________ model.
Christiaan Huygens would later have a wave model that was quite different
from that of Descartes.

____________ noted that when light particles passed through the prism and
encountered a slit on the edge, their rotational speed would ____________ . The
different colors seen are due to the different rotational speeds of the
____________ particles. Newton, on the other hand, explained that ____________
was the bouncing of light corpuscles on a surface similar to a ball. Corpuscles
traveling side-by-side would hit the reflecting surface at different times,
causing ____________ of image. While according to Huygen, reflection was the
bouncing of light waves on reflecting surface or a material it cannot pass
through, similar to the echo of sound and ocean waves bouncing on a cliff.
The waves turn back and produce a ____________ image.

B. Match column A with its proponent in column B.

Column A Column B

1. Rene Descartes a. plenum

2. Isaac Newton b. aether

3. Christiaan Huygens c. corpuscles

25
 Challenge Yourself

Answer the following problems.

1. How does the reflection of light happen according to Newton’s corpuscle
model?
2. How did Newton defend his stand on light as a particle?
3. How did Huygens defend his stand on light as a wave?
4. How did Descartes defend his stand on light as a wave?
5. What is the difference between Descartes’ plenum and Huygen’s aether?

26
 Lesson 20.4: Dual Nature of Light (Part II):
Electromagnetic Waves and Photons

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to:
● explain how scientists continuously argued on the dual nature
of light; and,
● define photoelectric effect.

Continuous arguments among scientists, after the claims of Descartes and Newton,
were prominent in the world of physics. Several different experiments were
conducted to support claims. What are these other experiments of light?

Warm-Up
Forming a Mirage
Materials:
● cardboard with 2 slits (as thick as the edge with of a 25 centavo coin)
● stress ball or small ball
● flashlight

Procedure:
A. Young’s double-slit experiment
1. In a dimmed room, project the flashlight on a wall. Observe.
2. Place the slitted cardboard at about 2 cm away from the flashlight. Observe
the transcended light on the wall.

B. Einstein’s shadow experiment

1. Position the ball and the flashlight such that the light will form a shadow
behind the ball.
2. Turn on the flashlight. Observe the shadow of the ball.

27
Guide Questions:
1. What happens to the transcended light in part A?
2. What happens to the shadow of the ball in part B?
3. Which experiment exhibits light as a wave? As a particle? Why?
4. How did scientists, Young and Einstein, support their claim on light being a
particle or a wave?

Learn about It

Newton and the Shadow Experiment

Newton’s argument against the wave model of light is the formation of shadow.
Shadows are either of the same size or larger than the object, supporting the idea
that shadows are due to the stream of straight-moving particles blocked by an
object. If light is a wave, then it should be able to spread from the sides of the
object, allowing the formation of a smaller shadow or no shadow at all.

Fig. 15. Newton’s argument using shadow to refute wave model.

Young and the Double-Slit Experiment

Thomas Young (1773–1829) conducted his double-slit experiment, demonstrating
how light spreads out from a narrow slit (Figure 13), thereby refuting Newton’s
argument about shadows. The bright fringes are the areas where the waves
interfere constructively, whereas the dark fringes are the areas where the waves
interfere destructively.

28
 Thomas Young Young’s double slit experiment.
(1773 - 1829)

Fig. 16. Thomas Young and his double slit experiment.

Maxwell and Electromagnetic Wave

James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879) concluded that light is an electromagnetic wave,
a wave created by the mutual generation of electric and magnetic fields enabling it
to travel without a medium. He calculated the speed of the electromagnetic wave
and it matched the known speed of light in vacuum: 3.00 × 108 m/s.

Electromagnetic waves are governed by following processes: (a) changing electric

field induces a magnetic field; (b) a changing magnetic field induces an electric field;
and, (c) changing electric field may induce changing electric field, which in turn may
induce changing electric field, and so on. The mutual induction of fields propagates
as electromagnetic waves.

29
 James Clerk Maxwell electromagnetic waves through mutual generation
(1831 - 1879) of electric and magnetic fields

Fig. 17. Electromagnetic wave and its constituent electric and magnetic fields.

Einstein and the Photoelectric Effect

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) shifted the argument back to particle model when he
explained photoelectric effect—the removal of an electron from a material using
light—in terms of photons, the particle of light. The photons knock the electrons
like colliding billiard balls. This discovery led to certain applications such as
photovoltaic cells.

Albert Einstein Einstein’s experimental setup demonstrating

(1879 - 1955) the photoelectric effect

Fig. 18. Albert Einstein and his discovery of the photoelectric effect.

30
The particle model of light also postulates that energy exists in discrete values
called quanta (singular: quantum). Although the exact method involves
complicated mathematics that will no longer be discussed here, the premise is that
the spectrum, band of light dispersed into colors and projected on a screen, has a
unique signature combination of dark and bright bands based on the atom that
emitted the light.

Fig. 19. Signature spectra of different elements compared with the full visible
spectrum

Today, scientists accept that light is both a wave and a particle as it has the
attributes of both; this is called the wave-particle duality.

31
 Key Points

● Isaac Newton’s argument against the wave model of light is the formation of
shadow.
● Thomas Young conducted his double-slit experiment, demonstrating how
light spreads out from a narrow slit.
● James Clerk Maxwell concluded that light is an electromagnetic wave, a
wave created by the mutual generation of electric and magnetic fields
enabling it to travel without a medium. He also calculated the speed of the
electromagnetic wave and it matched the known speed of light in vacuum:
3.00 × 108 m/s.
● Albert Einstein shifted the argument back to particle model when he
explained the photoelectric effect—the removal of an electron from a
material using light—in terms of photons, the particle of light.

Web Links

For further information on dual nature of light, you can check the following web
links:

● Read this article to learn more about on the use of the dual
nature of light in quantum mechanics.
Quantum Study. n.d.. ‘Dual Nature of Light.’
http://www.quantumstudy.com/science-articles/dual-nature-of-light/

● Watch this video to understand more about the two-in-one

photography which shows light as a particle and a wave.
École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). 2015. ‘Two-in-one photography:
Light as wave and particle! (sous-titres français)’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlaVHxUSiNk

● Watch this video to understand more about Einstein’s discovery

of wave-particle duality of light.
OpenMind. 2017. The Photoelectric Effect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b0axfyJ4oo&pbjreload=10

32
 Check Your Understanding

A. Match column A with its proponent in column B, then with the stand of the
proponent on the dual nature of light.

Column A Column B Column C

1-2. Thomas Young a. shadow experiment i. wave

3-4. James Clerk Maxwell b. double-slit experiment ii.particle

5-6. Albert Einstein c. photoelectric effect

7-8. Isaac Newton d. using electromagnetic

wave properties

B. Fill in the blanks with the correct word to complete the anagram
1. Einstein: removal of electron : : Maxwell : ____________
2. Young & Maxwell: ____________: : Newton & Einstein: particle
3. Young: diffraction : : Newton: ____________
4. Maxwell: EM waves : : Einstein: ____________
5. Photoelectric effect: photons : : ____________: quanta
6. changing magnetic field: electric field : : changing electric field:
____________
7. quanta: discrete : : quantity of photons: ____________

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions.

1. What is the flaw in Newton’s shadow experiment debunked by Young?
2. How can the photoelectric effect be explained using an experiment?
3. If you were to defend that light is a wave, which theory would you use? Why?
4. If you were to defend that light is a particle, which theory would you use?
Why?
5. Which would you rather believe: light as a particle or light as a wave? Why?

33
 Laboratory Activity

Activity 20.1
Energy of the Visible Light Spectrum

Objectives
At the end of this laboratory activity, the students should be able to:
● discuss the mechanism of photoelectric effect which verified that light is a
particle.

Materials and Equipment

● electroscope
● inflated balloon
● zinc plate (scrubbed with steel wool)
● light source with blue, green, and red colored light
● UV light (money checker)
● black light

Procedure
1. Place the zinc plate on the terminal of the electrode.
2. Test for negative charge deflection by introducing negatively charged
particles through the balloon (brush against your arm). Observe what
happens to the deflection when the balloon was placed near or on the
terminal (with zinc plate) of the electrode.
3. Check for any deflection using the black light by directing the light on the Zinc
plate. Note your observations in Table 1.
4. Check for any deflection using the red, green and blue light by directing the
light individually on the zinc plate. Try directing the three colored lines at the
same time. Note your observations in Table 1.
5. Check for any deflection using the UV light by directing the light on the Zinc
plate. Note your observations in Table 1.

Waste Disposal
Dilute colored solutions with water before disposing.

34
Data and Results
Table 1. Deflection of electroscope on different EM sources.
EM source Description of deflection of electroscope

black light

red light

green light

blue light

red, green, blue light

UV light

Guide Questions
1. What causes the deflection on the electroscope? Will there be a deflection if a
positive charge particle was introduced instead of a negative?
2. Was there any deflection on the black light? Explain.
3. Was there any deflection on the using the red, green or blue light
individually? What could be the reason behind this?
4. Was there any deflection on the using the red, green and blue light at the
same time? What could be the reason behind this?
5. Was there any deflection on the using the UV light? Explain.
6. Which causes the greatest deflection? Why is this so?

Performance Task

Phenomenon Vlogger

Goal
● Your group’s goal is to organize a scientific debate on whether light is a wave
or a particle.
Role
● Your group is a group of famous scientists following the dual nature of light
arguments.

35
Audience
● Your audience is your scientist peers.

Situation
● Your group has encountered several years of continuous debates on
whether light is a wave or a particle. Half of your group believed that light is a
wave, while the other half believed that it is a particle.

Performance
● Your group will organize a scientific debate presentation using scientific facts
that are updated and easy to relate to.

Standards and Criteria

Your group will be graded based on the following criteria:

Needs Successful Exemplary

Below Expectations,
Criteria 0% to 49%
Improvement Performance Performance
50% to 74% 75% to 99% 100%

Content. Details not Details are Details are Details are

presented. presented but not presented in an presented in an
Detailed facts are
Content is not organized. There is organized manner. organized matter
presented well.
related to the task. some content that Content is related that can be easily
Content related to the
is not related to to the task. understood.
task.
the task. Content is related
to the task.
Additional
supporting details
are presented.

Communication The presentation The presentation The presentation The presentation

was not done. was done but in a was done was done clearly.
Skills.
disorganized and smoothly but the Concepts were
Presentation was illogical manner. concepts are presented in a
done in a clear and presented in such logical manner
logical manner. a way that should and easily
be rearranged for understandable by
better the audience.
understanding.

36
 Self Check

After studying this unit, can you now do the following?

Check I can…

describe what happens when light is reflected, refracted, transmitted,

and absorbed.

describe how the propagation of light, reflection, and refraction are

explained by the wave model and the particle model of light.

describe how light scattering, diffraction, and interference are

explained by the wave model of light.

differentiate dispersion, scattering, interference, and diffraction.

explain how Newton and Descartes described the emergence of light in

various colors through prisms.

explain how scientists continuously argued on the dual nature of light.

Key Words

Absorption It occurs when light strikes a material, and the

energy that it carries is absorbed by the atoms of
the material and is converted into thermal energy.
Constructive It happens when identical parts of two waves meet.
interference
Corpuscles They are tiny particles that travel in straight line
and can travel through a vacuum according to
Newton.
Destructive It happens when the opposite parts of the two
interference waves meet.

37
Diffraction It is the spreading of light when it encounters an
obstacle or an opening.
Diffuse reflection It occurs when light strikes a rough surface, and
light rays are reflected in random directions.
Dispersion It is the separation of white light into colors due to
refraction.
Interference It is the combination of two or more waves into one
wave whenever they pass through the same point.

Law of reflection It is the law that states that the angle of incidence,
the angle of reflection, and the normal line are
found on the same plane, and the angle of
incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Light scattering It occurs when particles (such as those in the
atmosphere) absorb light and scatter it in all
directions.
Photoelectric effect It is the removal of an electron from a material
using light—in terms of photons, the particle of
light.
Plenum It is an invisible substance occupying all space not
occupied by matter.
Reflection It is the bouncing of light when it reaches a
reflecting surface or the boundary between two
media.
Refraction It is the bending of light due to the change in its
speed when it obliquely passes two different
media.
Specular reflection It occurs when light strikes a smooth surface, and
light rays are reflected in one direction, forming the
image of the source of incident rays.
Transmission It is the passing of light through a material without
being absorbed, such as light passing through a
glass as transmitted light.

38
 Wrap Up

The Dual Nature of Light and Behaviors of Light

Photo Credits

Unit photo. Sunset in Zadar.jpg by PJL is licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0 via Wikimedia
Commons.

Fig.7. 002 2016 06 07 Blau.jpg by Friedrich Haag is licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

39
 References

Ariew, Roger et al. 2015. Historical Dictionary of Descartes and Cartesian

Philosophy. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.

Elert, Glenn. “Photoelectric Effect.” The Physics Hypertextbook. Accessed July 3,

2016. http://physics.info/photoelectric/.

Henderson, Tom. “Dispersion of Light by Prisms.” The Physics Classroom. Accessed

July 3, 2016.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn/Lesson-4/Dispersion-of-Lightby-Pr
isms.

Nave, Rod. “Blue Sky.” HyperPhysics. Accessed September 3, 2016.

http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/atmos/blusky.html.

Phillips, Melba. “Electromagnetic Radiation.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed July

3, 2016.
https://www.britannica.com/science/electromagnetic-radiation/Relation-betwee
n-electricityand-magnetism.

Spring, Kenneth R., and Michael W. Davidson. “Light: Particle or a Wave?” Molecular
Expressions. Accessed July 3, 2016.
https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/particleorwave.html.

Stark, Glenn. “Light.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed July 3, 2016.

https://www.britannica.com/science/light/Early-particle-and-wave-theories.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Refractive Index.” Encyclopædia Britannica.
Accessed September 3, 2016.
https://www.britannica.com/science/refractive-index.

Watson, Richard A. “Cartesianism.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed September 3,

2016. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cartesianism.

Zawischa, Dietrich. “Scattering of Light.” What Are the Causes of Colour? Accessed
September 3, 2016.
https://www.itp.uni-hannover.de/~zawischa/ITP/scattering.html.

40