wave theory of light

E39346

The wave theory of light is the scientific model that explains light as a propagating wave, accounting for phenomena such as interference, diffraction, and polarization.

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Label Occurrences
wave theory of light canonical 1

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Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf optics theory
physical theory
scientific model
appliesTo electromagnetic radiation in general
infrared radiation
ultraviolet radiation
visible light
assumes light propagates through space as a wave
basedOn Huygens–Fresnel principle
surface form: Huygens' principle
contrastsWith corpuscular theory of light
particle theory of light
describes light as a wave
explains Huygens–Fresnel principle phenomena
Poisson spot
surface form: Young's double-slit experiment

birefringence
diffraction gratings behavior
diffraction of light
interference of light
optical coherence phenomena
polarization of light
reflection of light
refraction of light
thin-film interference
extendedBy quantum theory of light
wave–particle duality concept
field optics
physics
historicalOpponent Isaac Newton's corpuscular theory
historicalProponent Augustin-Jean Fresnel
Christiaan Huygens
James Clerk Maxwell
Thomas Young
influenced development of classical electromagnetism
development of physical optics
limitedBy inability to explain blackbody radiation spectrum
inability to explain photoelectric effect
precedes electromagnetic theory of light
predicts constructive interference
destructive interference
diffraction patterns
intensity distribution in interference fringes
polarization states
relatedTo Maxwell's equations
electromagnetic wave
supports superposition principle for light waves
wavefront description of light propagation
timePeriod 17th century
18th century
19th century

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Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Augustin-Jean Fresnel knownFor wave theory of light