Final Answer:
Light exhibits dual characteristics as both a wave and a particle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nature of light is fascinatingly dual, behaving as both a wave and a particle. This duality is encapsulated in the wave-particle duality principle of quantum mechanics. When observed through certain experiments, light demonstrates wave-like behaviors such as interference and diffraction, suggesting its wave nature. However, in other experiments like the photoelectric effect, light manifests as discrete packets of energy called photons, evidencing its particle-like behavior.
Albert Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect solidified the concept of photons. He proposed that light energy is quantized, arriving in discrete bundles called photons. The energy of a photon (\(E\)) is proportional to its frequency (\(ν\)) by the equation \(E = hν\), where \(h\) is Planck's constant. This relationship underlines the particle aspect of light, as it demonstrates how light energy comes in distinct packets, each carrying an amount of energy proportional to its frequency.
The wave nature of light is exhibited through phenomena like interference patterns formed by light passing through slits, where the peaks and troughs of light waves can amplify or cancel each other out. This behavior aligns with wave properties, emphasizing light's wave-like characteristics. In essence, the nature of light is intricate, showcasing both wave and particle behaviors depending on the experimental setup and observed phenomena, forming the basis of quantum mechanics and our understanding of the fundamental nature of light.