👉 Light, often conceptualized as a particle known as a photon, is a form of electromagnetic radiation that exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties. The particle nature of light, first proposed by Albert Einstein in his explanation of the photoelectric effect, posits that light consists of discrete packets of energy called photons. Each photon carries an energy proportional to its frequency, as described by the equation \( E = hf \), where \( E \) is energy, \( h \) is Planck's constant, and \( f \) is frequency. This particle theory is valid because it explains phenomena such as the discrete emission spectra of atoms and the behavior of light in interactions with matter at the quantum level. However, the wave-particle duality of light also holds true, meaning that light can exhibit interference and diffraction patterns characteristic of waves, yet also be detected as individual particles in processes like the photoelectric effect. Thus, the particle theory of light is a fundamental aspect of modern physics, reconciling both its wave-like and particle-like behaviors through the framework of quantum mechanics.
