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24
Jainism Through Science
more widely the use of the quantum theory. On the other hand since the existence of electromgnetic waves had already been proved in the laboratory, the thought of the wave theory was still on Max Planck's mind. He, therefore, stated that when emission of radiation takes places, it takes place in the form of particles and when it propagates from one point to another, it behaves as a wave. But Einstein stated that the emission of radiation takes place in the from of quanta (particles) and also it propagates from one point to another in the form of quanta (particles). It means that in the phenomenon called photoelectric effect when light in the form of small particles strikes a metal plate, they throw out the electrons separated from the metal. And for the energy of photons connected with the light wave of frequency 'v', he gave the following equation.
E ph
and
=
hv, where E is the energy of photon, h is Planck's constant is a frequency.
ph
WAVES: What are waves and how are they created? If we ponder on this question with a penetrating intellect, it seems more proper to accept the particle form than the wave form of light and sound. Generally waves are created through some definite medium but they are not created without medium. In science, generally speaking, there are four kinds of waves :
1. Mechanical Waves: Mechanical waves are waves travelling in an elastic medium with participation of particles of the medium. The propagation of such waves is due to the elastic property of the medium e.g. waves on string, sound waves moving in air.
2. Non-Mechanical waves: Non-mechanical waves of light require no medium for their propagation. The disturbances corresponding to the electric and magnetic fields travel in space. Instead of particles, the electric and magnetic field vectors at all points make oscillations. Hence these waves are called electromagnetic waves.
3. Transverse Waves: The waves in which the direction of displacement of particles of the medium, is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the waves, are called transverse waves.
