Exploring Light As a Wave

As we have talked about, light is described as both a wave and a particle. That is, it
behaves as though it is a discrete packet of energy AND it behaves as a wave. So far,
in our explorations, we have seen that light can be described as a particle or a wave
when exploring reflection or refraction. Today we are going to see that it can only be
explained as a wave by using our understanding of interference. First let’s review:

PLease open the following PhET: Wave Interference - Interference | Double Slit | Diffraction

Review - Wave Interference

Set up the phet as below. Start by clicking the interference icon below.

wavelength

½ wavelength
1. Turn on both spigots at a frequency somewhere between “min” and “max”. Do you see
the interference patterns created? Describe what you see? How are the interference
patterns formed?

2. Now change the source of the disturbance to laser/light. See below for set up.
 3. Can you still change the frequency of the disturbance for light? How do you change the
frequency of a disturbance in space and time with light?

4. Note that the “screen” box is checked. This gives you a view of how light would hit a wall.
This wasn’t present for the water waves.

5. Turn on both lights. Describe the pattern you see and compare it to the pattern you saw
when the disturbance was mechanical (water waves). Do you see interference patterns? Now
what do you see on the screen? Describe the pattern you see there?

6. Can you see why scientists would classify light as a wave and not a particle?

7. What would you see if light were a particle? In other words, if light came out as small
baseballs (for lack of a better example), what would you see on the screen?

8. Now set up a double slit exploration like you see below.

9. What do you observe when the light strikes the screen?

10. Now change the slit width to 1600 nm. What happens to the interference pattern? How
would you use this data to explain why you don’t experience light interference every day?

11. Now set up the following:

12. Turn the laser light on at the frequency of your choosing. This shows the behavior of light
as it moves through an opening. What do you notice about the behavior of the light as it strikes
the back barrier?