light: The Nature of Light

The scientific study of the behavior of light is called optics and covers reflection of light by a mirror or other object, refraction by a lens or prism, diffraction of light as it passes by the edge of an opaque object, and interference patterns resulting from diffraction. Also studied is the polarization of light. Any successful theory of the nature of light must be able to explain these and other optical phenomena.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Luminous and Illuminated Bodies
• The Speed of Light
• Modern Theory of the Nature of Light
• The Wave, Particle, and Electromagnetic Theories of Light
• The Nature of Light
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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