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Is light a particle or a wave? - Colm Kelleher

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TEDEd Animation

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Can we accurately describe light as exclusively a wave or just a particle? Are the two mutually exclusive? In this third part of his series on light and color, Colm Kelleher discusses wave-particle duality and its relationship to how we see light and, therefore, color.

Draw a diagram showing why, when two beams of light cross paths, they do not interact or crash together at all. Try with two laser beams and chalk dust.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Colm Kelleher
  • Artist Cynthea Mazur Diaz
  • Director Nelson Diaz
  • Narrator Colm Kelleher

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