• Light is a form of energy that

enables us to see things

• It is both a particle and a wave
Classical and Modern Theories of Light
 Corpuscular Theory of Light

 Wave Theory of Light

 Electromagnetic Theory of Light

 Quantum Theory of Light

 Corpuscular Theory of Light
 Proposed by Sir Isaac Newton.
 Light consists of tiny particles of matter called
corpuscles fall on a smooth surface, that moves
in a straight lines.
 Disproved by Thomas Young.
 Wave Theory of Light
 Proposed by Christian Huygens in 1678.
 Light is a series of waves travelling at different
speeds in different media.
 Speed of light decreases as it travels from air to
water and vice versa.
 Electromagnetic Theory of Light

 Proposed by James Clark Maxwell.

 Light as an electromagnetic wave, having

both electric and magnetic properties.
 Quantum Theory of Light
 Proposed by Max Planck in 1900.

 Light waves travel as packets of energy. He

called this packets of energy as quanta or
photons.
ASSIGNMENT: (Write your answers in a 1/4 sheet of paper)
Identification
1. According to this theory, light is composed of tiny particles of matter.
2. These are called the packets of energy.
3. He proposes the electromagnetic theory of light.
4. This theory states that light is a wave.
5. This theory explains why light can be reflected, refracted,
and moves in a straight line.