0
Seemingly innocent questions like this gave rise to Quantum Mechanics.
It turns out that light explores ALL paths between the source and the observer. And they all cancel out except one....you guessed it.
Except that there is no such thing as a 'straight line'. The light is a wave in the first place, and since there is no such thing as a 'constant refractive index' in reality, light only travels in a straight line in 'conceptual' terms, not in reality.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoThat's a result of the Huygens principle. At ANY point reached by a light wave, a new wave goes out IN ALL DIRECTIONS OF SPACE. These waves will then interfere with one another; the interference can be constructive of destructive. The net result is that (under many common situations), the wave (including light wave) travels in a straight line - i.e., that's where there is the most constructive interference.The details of how all this is calculated, of course, are quite complicated.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Does light travels in straight line?
Yes because, Light travels in a straight path called a light ray.
What kind of light travels in a straight line?
All light travels as a wave
How light travels from a flashlight?
In a straight line. At the speed of light.
Give an experiment to prove that light travels in a straight line?
Actually, it has been proved that light is bent by gravity, so it is impossible to prove that light travels in a straight line.
When does light traveling a straight line?
travels through a uniform medium
Does light travels in straight line?
Yes because, Light travels in a straight path called a light ray.
Why do light travels in straight line?
It does not, it travels as a wave
What is the straight line which light travels in a straight line called?
Trajectory
What kind of wave does light travel in?
I have the straight answer from the Internet and my science teacher that light travels in the motion of waves.
What kind of light travels in a straight line?
All light travels as a wave
What travels in a straight line and travels the fastest?
Light the electromagnetic wave.
How light travels from a flashlight?
In a straight line. At the speed of light.
Give an experiment to prove that light travels in a straight line?
Actually, it has been proved that light is bent by gravity, so it is impossible to prove that light travels in a straight line.
Which travels in a straight line sound light electricity?
Electricity.
A narrow beam of light that travels in a straight line is a?
A laser
Why does light travel straight?
light travels in a straight line because it can only be bend by reflective objects.
How does light behave as it travels in a straight line?
Light behaves simultaneously as a wave and as a particle.
