Question

Which of the following is not an experiment that can be explained by treating light as a particle? A) The photoelectric effect. B) The blackbody radiation spectrum. C) The diffraction pattern from two slits. D) The Compton scattering of light off electrons. E) The pair production of an electron and positron.

Answer 1

Correct answer is option C (The diffraction pattern from two slits)

Step-by-step explanation:

Photoelctric effect, blackbody radiation spectrum, compton effect and pair production of an electron and positron are the phenomena which can be explained by particle nature of light.

But diffraction pattern from two slits cannot be explained by particle nature of light.

Diffraction pattern from two slits is an experiment carried out by physicist Thomas Young. From this experiment, Young proved that light possessed dual nature. Light has characteristics of both wave and a particle.

If light is considered as particle and light is illuminated on two parallel slits, than it is expected the sum of two single slits pattern will be seen on the screen, but in reality a series of dark and bright bands are shown on the screen. This phenomena can only be explain by wave nature of light.