The nature of light

[janoskiss]

Allright then. This shall be the General Chat thread where we can "Talk about anything and everything" as long as it's about "something". :D :P :) :o :scared:

To start off, here is something:

Light is a wave, as many of you would have witnessed when Star Testing (looking for the Airy disk diffraction pattern). Diffraction is a phenomenon associated exclusively with waves. It has to do with interference; Waves combining to form other waves. Like when two ocean waves meet. They can 100% reinforce (wave+wave=WAVE) or 100% cancel (wave+wave=nothing) each other and anything in-between can happen too.

But light is also particles, i.e. photons, which are picked up by the photomultipliers in your digital camera. Particles you just collect. There is no "interference" between particles. You have one particle, two particles etc. i.e., 1+1 = 2. Not 1+1=0. Uh, we had a thread on that topic too recently. :o

So how can light be particles, when it clearly exhibits wave interference as per scope optics star test?
:confuse2:

[Stu]

Something to do with the two properties constructively interfering. I read it in one of my books but can't find it now, just chapter after chapter on strings of theory that where made up of tiny littles strings that were knitted into the universe.

That's it! God is a Grandma the knitted the universe with strings!

[Starkler]

As per forum rule #18 about thread titles being descriptive of content, I have edited the thread title.

[Exfso]

I detect some dictatorial aspects here.. :scared:

[janoskiss]

Forget the strings nonsense.

[rumples riot]

Steve rules aside, when I was a moderator we discussed this very issue and it was plainly decided then that the general chat area should be allowed to have spam. It would not be encouraged but it would not be denied. At the time I admit that I tried to keep spam to a minimum, but knew that suppression is a sure way to encourage an underground movement. Look at the war on Terror, drugs and anything else that others are trying to control. Control is an illusion. So if the thread is nonsensical it is an indication that free thought is being suppressed. Next burning books. Sound familar, same thing happened in 1936 in Germany. Our whole world is starting to sound like it is ruled by rules.

Now for the record I am not saying that anyone is like this at all. However, a little nonsense should be allowed and if not interferred with it will eventually dissipate. Lets just relax on the rules for a while. No one is hurting anyone else.

Anyway that is my take. Hope everyone understands.

[Exfso]

Methinks the wheels are getting decidedly wobbly Paul.

:confuse2:

[rumples riot]

Viva la revolution. Change is good, you know I always say that Peter. Wheels can wobble for a long time. But eventually they fall off. Glad I am not going to the camp.

[Exfso]

Hmmm a referee might have been in order if you did mate.

[rumples riot]

No ref needed. I know the rules.

[Exfso]

Probably the only one that does.

[Stu]

I think we need to change the title again. Sorry Steve.

[janoskiss]

Sure feel free to change the title.
Back on topic now... :ashamed:

Light, like all other forms of energy and matter, is weird stuff. It seems to travels like a wave but it's clearly detected as discrete lumps of stuff. Here is a great little layperson's book on the topic:

QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter by Richard Feynman (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0691024170/102-2199670-2228955)

[Exfso]

Speaking of light, here is an interesting site that explains big mobs of stuff about lenses, coatings etc etc ad nauseum.

http://www.mellesgriot.com/products/optics/fo_3.htm

[avandonk]

There is no problem.Light is a manifestation of the real world.The problem you are all discussing is when you go from macro to extreme micro.Elementary Quantum Mechanics does not explain the wave problem any more than the particle.Because both are valid!

Under some experimental situations these systems show both!Sorry did not read all the crap.because I am a lazy person!

When you have all done or read, a lot of physics.then make unfounded statements.

You are all welcome to flame me!

Bert

[ballaratdragons]

The Camp is not the forums! No moderators or administrators at Camp. Everyone is equal.

Except me. I'm just naturally better.

[Nightshift]

Light doesnt matter......Dark does.

[avandonk]

The real quandry is that due to time dilation,a light beam ( for the light beam )takes no time to cross the known universe!

Bert