________________
Jainism : Through Science
21 and measured the velocity of electromagnetic waves and observed that the velocity of electromagnetic waves is equal in amount to the velocity of light. Maxwell's mathematical equations of scientific and technical excellence ramained only on paper for a very long
time.
In an experiment in a laboratory Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (18571894), 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 radiation 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
xpounded electromagnetic waves, there was some doubt about their proof 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
