Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave?

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written by Michael Davidson and Kenneth R. Spring
published by the Olympus America, Inc. and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

This item is a introductory tutorial relating to wave-particle duality in the behavior of light. It traces the early history of light refraction theory, from Huygens' 18th century work through the classic double slit experiment and studies using cross-polarizing filters. Also included are four related interactive Java simulations exploring how particles and waves behave when refracted, diffracted, and reflected. This item is part of a larger collection of materials on optics and microscopy developed by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida State University.

Please note that this resource requires Java.

https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/particleorwave.h...

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Optics - Diffraction - Interference = Interference of Polarized Light - Modern Optics - Polarization = Polarization by Scattering	- Lower Undergraduate - High School	- Instructional Material = Interactive Simulation = Tutorial

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Learners - Educators	- text/html - application/java	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2002 National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Keywords:: Huygens, Simulations, crossed polarizers, diffraction, double slit experiment, duality, light polarization, optics, refraction, tutorial, wave optics
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created May 1, 2008 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: May 21, 2009 by Caroline Hall
Last Update when Cataloged:: August 1, 2003
Other Collections:: The Physics Front

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Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=6974">Davidson, Michael, and Kenneth R. Spring. Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave?. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., August 1, 2003.</a>

AIP Format

M. Davidson and K. Spring, (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 2002), WWW Document, (https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/particleorwave.html).

AJP/PRST-PER

M. Davidson and K. Spring, Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave? (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 2002), <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/particleorwave.html>.

APA Format

Davidson, M., & Spring, K. (2003, August 1). Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave?. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from Olympus America, Inc.: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/particleorwave.html

Chicago Format

Davidson, Michael, and Kenneth R. Spring. Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave?. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., August 1, 2003. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/particleorwave.html (accessed 17 January 2025).

MLA Format

Davidson, Michael, and Kenneth R. Spring. Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave?. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., 2002. 1 Aug. 2003. 17 Jan. 2025 <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/particleorwave.html>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Author = "Michael Davidson and Kenneth R. Spring", Title = {Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave?}, Publisher = {Olympus America, Inc.}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {17 January 2025}, Month = {August 1, 2003}, Year = {2002} }

Refer Export Format

%A Michael Davidson %A Kenneth R. Spring %T Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave? %D August 1, 2003 %I Olympus America, Inc. %C Center Valley %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/particleorwave.html %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %A Spring, Kenneth R. %D August 1, 2003 %T Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave? %I Olympus America, Inc. %V 2025 %N 17 January 2025 %8 August 1, 2003 %9 text/html %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/particleorwave.html

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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

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Molecular Expressions: Light: Particle or a Wave?:

Contains Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Particle and Wave Refraction

This is an interactive Java simulation that explores light refraction through a transparent object. The student can use a slider to change the incident angle and observe as the light behaves in both a particle-like and wave-like manner.

relation by Caroline Hall

Contains Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Particle and Wave Diffraction

This is an interactive simulation that illustrates the behavior of both photons and waves as they are diffracted around an opaque object.

relation by Caroline Hall

Is a Teaching Guide For Physics Classroom: Wavelike Behaviors of Light

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