Question

Describe why the wave model light is accurate when discussing diffraction and interference.

Answer 1

Particles without mass, like photons, have no solutions of the Schrödinger equation so have another wave .

Diffraction is the phenomenon that occur when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit. It is defined as the bending of waves around the corners of an obstacle or aperture into the region of geometrical shadow of the obstacle. It is defined by wave properties . Hence wave model is accurate in this case.

Wave interference is the phenomenon that occurs when two waves meet while traveling along the same medium. It is also defined by wave properties . Hence wave model is accurate in this case also.