Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite

Edward F. Redish

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Failure of the ray model

In the laboratory, you studied the phenomenon that when light is passed through two narrow slits, the result produced on a distant screen is not the result predicted by the ray model of light. Discuss the prediction that the ray model makes and how an alternative model can explain these results. What are the implications of these results for our foothold ideas about light? Note: This is an essay question. Your answer will be judged not solely on its correctness, but for its depth, coherence, and clarity.


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