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Glite Dictionary
corpuscular theory of light

corpuscular theory of light

9.9
The idea that light is a stream of tiny particles rather than a wave
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔrpəskjələr ˈθɪəri əv laɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : teoría corpuscular de la luz
  • Some early physicists believed the corpuscular theory of light could explain reflection and refraction.

Examples

  • The corpuscular theory of light suggests that light consists of particles.

  • Newton initially supported the corpuscular theory of light over the wave theory.

  • The corpuscular theory of light was eventually challenged by new discoveries in optics.

  • According to the corpuscular theory of light, photons are the basic units of light.

  • Newton's corpuscular theory of light proposed that light consists of small particles moving in straight lines.

  • The corpuscular theory of light argues that light travels as a stream of particles rather than as waves.

  • Scientists debated whether the corpuscular theory of light or the wave theory better explained the behavior of light.

Synonyms

corpuscular theory
vscorpuscular theory of light
  • Archaic
9.9

A theory that light is made of tiny particles

has the same meaning but is the longer more specific name

Antonyms

wave theory of light
  • Specialized
4.9

A scientific idea that light moves as waves and makes bright and dark patterns

Surface Forms

corpuscular theory of light singular
corpuscular theories of light plural

Morphology

corpuscular + theory + of + light

The phrase composes transparently: 'corpuscular' (relating to small particles) + 'theory' + 'of light' yields 'a theory that light consists of particles.' This adjective + noun + of + noun pattern is directly compositional and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words, even if 'corpuscular' is somewhat specialized vocabulary.

Etymology

Corpuscular theory of light comes from the idea that light is made of tiny pieces. Imagine lots of little balls hitting a mirror or lens and bouncing or changing direction. That is why the theory means light travels as 'particles' rather than as a 'wave'.