Often envisioned as tiny packets of energy, light must also be studied in terms of its kinetic properties. This program explores aspects of light using both wave and particle models, emphasizing that neither one fully explains all known electromagnetic phenomena. With helpful diagrams and real-world examples, the film illustrates three principal kinds of optical behavior-straight line propagation, reflection, and refraction-and guides students through crucial wave- and particle-based concepts. Students are introduced to several scientists, including Newton, Hertz, Planck, Maxwell, Einstein, Compton, and de Broglie, and the ways in which each contributed to the wave-particle "debate.

Encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on June 03, 2009. Learn360 is distributed by Infobase for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.

Properties of Light (4:00) -- Light: Law of Refraction (2:16) -- Light: Galileo's Particle Model (1:28) -- Light: Huygens' Wave Model (2:01) -- Light: Problems and Predictions (2:48) -- Light: Electromagnetic Radiation (2:58) -- Light: Photoelectric Effect: Hertz Effect (2:22) -- Wave Particle Duality (2:17) -- Albert Einstein: Photon Model (3:43).