corpuscular theory
Newton's light model
Corpuscular theory holds that light consists of tiny particles rather than waves.
Isaac Newton championed this view, which dominated physics until wave theories gained favor in the 19th century.
Modern quantum mechanics reconciles both perspectives—light behaves as particles (photons) in some contexts and waves in others.
The corpuscular theory couldn't explain diffraction patterns.
- photonsDiscrete packets of radiance
- atomic structureInternal composition of atoms
- quantum mechanicsPhysics at nanoscopic scales
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
collision · classical physics · materialism · electrons · reflection · determinism · Isaac Newton · light rays · interference patterns · optics · Planck's constant · Heisenberg uncertainty principle · dualism · reductionism · empiricism · Huygens · velocity · prism
- Early Sciencescientific revolution, scientific method, experimental method, Boyle, Harvey
- mechanismmechanism, clockwork universe, Newtonian mechanics, classical mechanics, automata
- physicsphysics, momentum, atom, acceleration, gravity
- alchemyalchemy, alchemist, philosopher's stone, transmutation, elixir
- classical physicsNewton, Newton's laws, Newtonian physics, laws of motion, force
- medical historyHippocrates, bloodletting, Galen, four humors, humors
scientific paradigm in physics history
corpuscular theoryFresnel diffraction
Light bending near obstacles