Photons

In this lecture we hope to convince you all that both Hooke and Newton had valid hypothesis. Based on recent discoveries and their original experiments we can confirm that both had key roles in the development of knowledge about light. In their lifetimes both disputed the other’s theories and conclusions. However today we can make our own conclusions based on both of their theories.

Newton: Light is composed of particles. (Corpuscular) + Hooke: Light is composed of waves. (Undulating) = Dual Nature of Light.

Newton: White light is composed of other colours. + Hooke: White is a fundamental colour. Other colours are only an effect of disturbance. (Red and Blue light have different speeds.) = Complete theory of dispersion.

Newton: Light is composed of particles: receptors in eyes vibrate. + Hooke: Light is produced by an “exceedingly quick” vibration of the material. = Light vibrates: travels across vacuum and materials.

By looking at the work of both Robert Hooke and Isaac Newton it is possible to have a greater understanding of the topic of light. Their experiments were made in different contexts and with different variables. As a result we believe in both theories. If you take a laser there is no wave. Make a hole in paper, smaller than the laser beam, the laser will travel in the same way through the paper(smaller beam). With a lamp and two holes, the light will travel through in the same way but with an interference. This proves that light is a wave.

Newton: I think that Newton’s theory of light is correct because of the fact that when you put white light through a prism it divides into seven colours and when you put another prism at one of the colours it doesn’t change. Hooke: white light is uncompounded and colours are produced when white light is disturbed by refraction. it is only the impression of our retina. Newton: Your explanation is incorrect because light is a vibration of the sensors on your retina. Hooke: In is not the retina but the material which the light passes through which vibrates. Newton: How do you explain the stright line movement of the particles? Hooke: It is a short quick vibration (waves) rather than particles. Newton: Perhaps we both have correct ideas, we should collaborate to find out more.

We believe that light particles move in waves