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Yes. Light traveling in the same medium, travels in a straight path. It gets refracted only when it hits obliquely with another medium.
In olden days scientists thought light is supposed to travel as a ray. Ray meant continuous passage of tiny particles.
As understanding gets evolved now we think that light is an electromagnetic wave
(not a mechanical wave).
Mechanical wave certainly needs a material medium to get propagated where as the electromagnetic wave can even pass through free space, usually we call as vacuum.
Its gets diffracted, that is bent at the edges of obstacles, when it meets such.
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∙ 13y ago
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What is it called when light waves that travel in straight lines?
The phenomenon where light waves travel in straight lines is called rectilinear propagation. This means that light travels in a straight path unless it encounters a medium that causes it to change direction.
Why do light rays travel in straight lines?
Light rays travel in straight lines due to the principle of the shortest path, known as Fermat's principle. Light travels along the path that minimizes the time it takes to travel from one point to another. This results in light rays following straight lines in a uniform medium.
In what direction does light travel?
Light travels in a straight line until it is reflected, refracted, or absorbed by a medium. It can travel in all directions depending on the source and the medium through which it passes.
How does light rays always travel?
Light rays always travel in straight lines in a medium with a uniform refractive index. This is known as the principle of rectilinear propagation of light. However, in mediums with varying refractive indices or when interacting with surfaces, light rays can bend, reflect, or refract.
How do light rays travel light ray?
Light rays travel in straight lines called rays or beams. They propagate by transferring energy and momentum through particles or fields, such as photons in a vacuum or electromagnetic waves in a medium. Light rays can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed when interacting with different materials.
Why is the beam of light from a flashlight that is shining in frog straight?
The beam of light stays straight because light travels in straight lines, following the laws of physics. As long as the medium through which the light is passing is uniform and there are no obstructions to scatter or reflect the light, it will continue to travel in a straight line.
How does light travel in straight lines and in waves?
Light can be described as electromagnetic waves, which travel in straight lines because they do not bend or deviate unless they encounter an obstacle or medium that can refract or reflect them. The wave nature of light explains phenomena such as interference, diffraction, and polarization.
Does light always travel in straight lines?
yes
What kind of path does light waves travel?
Light waves travel in straight lines unless they encounter a medium density change or are reflected or refracted by a surface. This results in bending or scattering of the light waves along their path.
Does light travel in circles?
No, light travels in straight lines known as rays. When light encounters obstacles or changes in medium, it can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed, appearing to change direction, but it does not travel in circles as a primary mode of motion.
Dose light travel in strait lines?
Yes, light typically travels in straight lines, a principle known as rectilinear propagation. This means that light will continue in a straight path unless it encounters a medium that causes it to change direction, such as through reflection or refraction.
Who proposed the light consisted of particles that travel in straight lines through space?
Isaac Newton proposed that light consisted of particles that travel in straight lines through space.
