Question

Consider the following statement and choose the correct statement:
A) Newton’s Corpuscular theory can explain reflection and refraction of light.
B) Huygen’s Wave theory can explain interference and diffraction of light.

A. A and B are true
B. A and B are false
C. A is false, B is true
D. A is true, B is false

Answer 1

The Newton’s Corpuscular theory states that a luminous body continuously emits multiple, elastic, rigid and massless particles called corpuscles in all directions. These corpuscles travel through a transparent medium at very high speed in a straight line propagation, and when these corpuscles enter a retina, they produce a sensation of vision.
Huygen's wave theory suggests that light travels in the form of waves and requires a medium to travel always. The concept of ether was introduced, which suggests that vacuum is filled ether causing light waves to travel through it.

Complete step by step answer:
Let’s understand Newton's Corpuscular theory: The theory states that a luminous body continuously emits multiple corpuscles in all directions. These corpuscles are elastic, rigid and massless particles which can travel through a transparent medium at very high speed in a straight line propagation. When these corpuscles enter a retina, they produce a sensation of vision. This theory suggested that the variation of the size of the corpuscles causes different colors to be produced. Since, the corpuscles are particles, hence they are repelled off the reflecting surfaces.
Hence, this theory explains the rectilinear propagation of light and also reflection and refraction of light individually.

Now, let’s understand Huygen's wave theory: This theory suggests that the source of light always emits light in the form of waves. These waves are longitudinal in nature similar to sound waves and travel at a constant speed in any homogeneous medium, having a constant refractive index throughout the medium.

Further, the wavelength concept was introduced and hence, it was stated that different colors of light are due to different wavelengths of each of the light waves. Similar to the previous theory, the sensation of vision is produced, when a light wave falls upon the retina.

An hypothetical concept of ether was introduced also known as luminiferous ether. Ether, was said to be a non-viscous medium filling up the vacuum or the space. It doesn’t produce any drag, since it is a non-viscous fluidic medium. However, the most important part of the ether medium was about it being a homogeneous medium, supporting the argument that light needs a medium to travel. Since, light from the Sun was reaching us on earth.

Huygen's wave theory suggests that each primary wave produced directly from the source is known as a primary wavefront, which can cause a secondary wavefront. This is used to comfortably explain the theory of interference and diffraction of light.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
It’s important to remember both of these theories, while explaining a few parts of the theory, however they fail to explain multiple others.
Newton's corpuscular theory cannot explain the partial reflection, interference, diffraction, polarization of light etc. phenomena.
Similarly, Huygen's wave theory cannot explain the rectilinear propagation of light, polarization of light and Compton effect as well. The hypothetical medium of ether, couldn’t be proved, hence dismissed too.