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Scientific Secrets of Jainism
the German physicist, succeded in producing an electromagnetic wave, and studied its velocity and properties, which were exactly in accordance with the calculations of Maxwell. The radiatior found out by Hertz was in the form of wave and it exhibited its reflection and refraction also.
Light waves and radio waves are electromagnetic waves. They differ only in wavelength and frequency. The whole universe is managed exactly in accordance with the few mathematical equations of Newtonian mechanics, Maxwell's electromagnetism and thermodynamics. Every physical phenomenon known at that time could be explained by combination of these three sciences. And practically speaking, the struggle between the wave theory and particle theory came to an end here. But in the fundamental experiment performed by Hertz and in the electromagnetic wave that he generated according to Maxwell's mathematical equation, the particle form of light peeped out to him, but it is no wonder the new radiation having been detected, which Hertz or any other scientist might have overlooked. During the experiment performed by Hertz, when ultraviolet rays were thrown upon the instrument that generated sparks, sparks were speedily and easily generated.
Thus the question : "Is light formed of waves or particles?" surfaced again in a new form. Even after Maxwell and Hertz had expounded electromagnetic waves, there was some doubt in the minds of Hertz and Thomson and the doubt was proper. Hertz's doubt was based on the results observed by him in his experiment; while the chief doubt of Thomson was about the 'ultraviolet enigma' which one comes across in the study of radiation of a completely black substance. 'Ultra-violet enigma' means radiation of wave with a small wavelength. The wave theory of light could not explain either of these phenomena. Thus the wave theory of light came to be called in question.
In 1880 A. D. two German scientists named Kirchhoff and Wien carried out their experiments regarding the study of radiation of black substances. With the help of thermodynamics, they explained the wavelength of radiation and the changes operative in its intensity. They could explain the changes operative in the intensity of waves having small wavelength and also the changes in the greatest wavelength but they could not explain the changes operative in the intensity of waves having greater wavelength.
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