Final answer:
Light is defined as a wave through properties such as wavelength, frequency, and amplitude, and demonstrates wave behaviors like interference and diffraction. Its speed is a product of wavelength and frequency, characterized by the equation 'speed = wavelength times frequency'. However, it also exhibits particle characteristics, embodying wave-particle duality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question about the properties of light that define it as a wave relates to understanding the wave nature of light. Light exhibits properties characteristic of waves, such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude, reflection, absorption, and transmission. One crucial property of light waves is their wavelength (λ), which is the distance between consecutive peaks of the wave. Another property is the frequency (v), which indicates how many wave peaks pass a certain point per unit of time.
It's important to note that light waves have a constant speed in a vacuum, and this speed (s) is the product of its wavelength and frequency, represented by the equation speed = λv. The height of the wave peaks is described by the amplitude, which relates to the intensity of the light.
Another aspect of light's wave-like behavior includes its ability to interfere and diffract, phenomena that are typical for waves. However, light also shows particle characteristics and is sometimes described as photons, especially in explanations of phenomena like the photoelectric effect. This dual nature is termed wave-particle duality.