The Fundamental Nature of Light
- You are to investigate the historical evidence relative to the fundamental nature of light.
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From that investigation you are to examine this evidence in relationship to the argument between the corpuscular and wave characteristics of light and its modern interpretation.
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You are to assess this evidence concerning the possibilities of the nature of light.
- You will then critique the historical models of the nature of light and produce your own theory supported by the evidence.
You are to present a position presentation** to the class in which you will:
- Indicate your understanding of the evidence for each model in its' historical perspective.
- Critique each model's strength and weakness.
- Present your own model.
- Explain why you arrived at this conclusion.
**Final Presentation is to use a computer presentation format.
Basic information:
- Matter is not needed for light transmission.
- At the time of Newton only the properties of reflection, refraction, and rectilinear propagation were understood.
- Christian Huygens and Robert Hooke supported the wave model.
- Isaac Newton and Laplace supported the corpuscular theory.
- If refraction is slower in water this supports the wave theory.
- Foucault measured the refraction of light.
- Huygens model has a problem explaining rectilinear propagation.
- 1801 light interference was discovered.
- 1816 diffraction of light was discovered.
- Both 8 & 9 imply the wave nature of light.
- 1865 James Maxwell theorized the Electromagnetic Wave.
- 1885 Rudolf Hertz confirmed the Electromagnetic Wave Theory.
- Hertz showed the Photoelectric effect. (proof of corpuscular theory)
- 1900 Max Planck determined that energy comes in discrete steps called Quanta.
- 1901 he published this hypothesis.
- 1905 Einstein explained the hypothesis.
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The modern view is: "Radiant energy is transported in photons that are guided along their path by a wave field." top
Web sites on the Physics page - many good portals to search - one very helpful link: "Theories of light" as a search will return good results in all of the Pathfinder links on the Physics page.
AccessScience from McGraw Hill - the most comprehensive reference source for science. Searching for "theories of light" will return numerous hits. Also, a complete Biography section is available in this encyclopedia.
| Scoring Criteria |
1 Does Not Meet |
2 Partially Meets |
3 Meets |
4 Exceeds |
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Critical Thinking
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The student does not identify or summarize the issue(s); analyzes little/no key information, questions, and problems; demonstrates little/no evaluation of material for validity, assumptions and perspective; does not identify or consider the influence of context on an issue; and does not use reasoning to draw conclusions, defend viewpoints, and identify implications/consequences. |
The student partially identifies and summarizes the issue(s); inadequately analyzes key information, questions, and problems; shows limited evaluation of material for validity, assumptions and perspective; ineffectively identifies and considers the influence of context on an issue; and uses partial reasoning to draw conclusions, defend viewpoints, and identify implications/consequences. |
The student accurately identifies and summarizes the issue(s); analyzes key information, questions, and problems; evaluates material for validity, assumptions and perspective; adequately identifies and considers the influence of context on an issue; uses reasoning to draw conclusions, defend viewpoints, and identify implications/consequences. |
The student precisely identifies and summarizes the issue(s); analyzes key information, questions, and problems; evaluates material for validity, assumptions and perspective; clearly identifies and considers the influence of context on an issue; and uses reasoning to draw compelling conclusions, defend viewpoints, and identify implications/consequences.
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Technology Rubric |
The student shows inadequate evidence of the ability to use technology, including little/no ability to access meaningful and valid information on the internet; little/no ability to use word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, and integration of these applications; rarely uses ethical practices concerning the use of technology. |
The student shows developing evidence of the ability to use technology, including limited ability to access meaningful and valid information on the internet; partial ability to use word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, and integration of these application; and sometimes uses ethical practices concerning the use of technology. |
The student shows proficient evidence of the ability to use technology, including accessing meaningful and valid information on the Internet; word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, and integration of these applications; uses ethical practices concerning the use of technology. |
The student shows sophisticated evidence of the ability to use technology, including easily accesses meaningful and valid information on the Internet; creative word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, and integration of these |
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Problem Solving |
The student does not identify and describe issues related to a problem; does not collect data to make critical decisions; does not interpret data to make critical decisions, does not create a plan to resolove the problem. | The student only partially identifies and/or describes some issues related to a problem; collects insufficient data to make a critical decision; is not able to interpret data efficiently to make critical decisions; creates an ineffective plan that maybe unorganized. | The student identifies and describes the issue related to a problem; collects, analyzes and compares information to make critical decisions; interprets data to generate possible solutions; organizes and develops a plan to resolve the problem. | The student identifies and describes the issues related to a problem; collects, analyzes and compare information to make sophisticated, critical decisions; interprets data to generate comprehensive solutions; organizes and develops a sophisticated plan to resolve the problem. |
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