Modern Physics - 20th Century

 

  • fundamental nature of light & electromagnetic radiation

 

  • origins & destiny of universe

 

  • parts of the atom

 

  • How energy is absorbed and emitted by electrons

 

  • gravity

 

 

 

I. Dual Nature of Light - Light appears to exhibit 2 characteristics:

 

 

Wave or Particle????

 

 

 

 

A. Review - 19th Century

 

 

Experiments supporting wave theory

 

 

 

1) Interference - "Double Slit Exp." - constructive/ destructive

 

 

 

 

 

 

(onsite version)

 

 

 

2) Polarization - "Filtering of Light - Light waves have orientations

 

 

 

 

 

3) Diffraction - Spreading out of Light behind a barrier

 

 

 

 

| Onsite Version |

 

 

4) Doppler - Color Shift of Light - "Blue to, Red Away"