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Light : Waves Or Particles ?
independent of each other. It follows that interference takes place.
The experiment with electrons is as under :
When electrons are emitted from the filament of the heated metal named tungston they behave like real particles. After emission if they are connected with an electric or magnetic field, their direction of movement can be changed. When they are detected by a detector they create pulses in the detector. fig. No. 3 shows when the same electrons pass through slits, like bullets from the gun, they are detected in No. 1, 2, 3, ... etc.
In spite of all this, it is surprising to observe that experimental results obtained from both slits with reference to eletrons and waves are similar to each other.
The experiment shows that the electron behaves in the form of a particle, when one slit is opened. While it behaves in the form of a wave when two slits are opened.
The question : "Is an electron a particle or a wave ?" therefore, remains unsolved from the view point of modern physics. We observe that in spite of being in the form of a particle, the members of the microscopic world, can also behave as waves. This fact can provide a basis for the prospective material - particle - wave theory.
Similary, the question whether light is in the form of particles or waves also remains unsolved from the view point of modern physics. Such phenomena as interference, polarisation and diffraction with reference to light can be explained only by means of the wave theory, which hopelessly fails to explain the phenomena of photo-electric effect and intensity of radiation.
Therefore the particle theory and the wave theory of light are both acceptable today.
Regarding this Fritjof Capra makes the following statement in his book named 'The Turning Point':
"A few years later, the quantum theory made it clear that even the subatomic particles-the electrons and the protons and the neutrons in nucleus – were nothing like the solid subjects of classical physics.... They appear sometimes as particles, sometimes as waves and this dual
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| SR No. | 001603 |
| Book Title | Scientific Secrets of Jainism |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Nandighoshvijay |
| Publisher | Research Institute of Scientific Secrets from Indian Oriental Scriptures Ahmedabad |
| Publication Year | 2001 |
| Total Pages | 378 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English, Science, Religion, & Articles |
| File Size | 21 MB |