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Line 12: − Photons are [[bosons]], that is, particles that have integer [[Quantum_field_theory#Field_Bosons_Mediate_Action_At_a_Distance|spin]]. In [[quantum field theory]], photons are the mediators of the [[electromagnetic force]].+
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A '''photon''' is a particle of light. The term was coined by the American physical chemist Gilbert Newton Lewis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Should creationists accept quantum mechanics?|author=Jonathan Sarfati|publisher=CMI|url=http://creation.com/creationists-quantum-mechanics#txtRef15|accessdate=August 1, 2013|quote=Einstein called this Lichtquant or light quantum, but the American physical chemist Gilbert Newton Lewis (1875–1946) coined the term photon which stuck}}</ref>
A '''photon''' is a particle of light. The term was coined by the American physical chemist Gilbert Newton Lewis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Should creationists accept quantum mechanics?|author=Jonathan Sarfati|publisher=CMI|url=http://creation.com/creationists-quantum-mechanics#txtRef15|accessdate=August 1, 2013|quote=Einstein called this Lichtquant or light quantum, but the American physical chemist Gilbert Newton Lewis (1875–1946) coined the term photon which stuck}}</ref>
Photons are [[bosons]], that is, particles that have integer [[Quantum_field_theory#Field_Bosons_Mediate_Action_At_a_Distance|spin]]. In [[quantum field theory]], photons are the mediators of the [[electromagnetic force]].
==Historical development==
Since Newton's publication of his [[Opticks]] in 1704, his corpuscle theory of light dominated the world of physics. However, this changed in the 19th century with experiments done by [[Fresnel|Augustin-Jean Fresnel]] and [[Young|Thomas Young]], which supported [[Huygens|Christian Huygens]]'s wave theory. One of the proofs for this is that light experiences [[Optics#Physical_optics|interference]] and [[Optics#Physical_optics|diffraction]], which would not be displayed if light were a classical particle. Furthermore, [[James Clerk Maxwell]] theoretical prediction of electromagnetic waves, together with [[Hertz|Heinrich Hertz]] experiments led to conclude that light was an electromagnetic wave.
Since Newton's publication of his [[Opticks]] in 1704, his corpuscle theory of light dominated the world of physics. However, this changed in the 19th century with experiments done by [[Fresnel|Augustin-Jean Fresnel]] and [[Young|Thomas Young]], which supported [[Huygens|Christian Huygens]]'s wave theory. One of the proofs for this is that light experiences [[Optics#Physical_optics|interference]] and [[Optics#Physical_optics|diffraction]], which would not be displayed if light were a classical particle. Furthermore, [[James Clerk Maxwell]] theoretical prediction of electromagnetic waves, together with [[Hertz|Heinrich Hertz]] experiments led to conclude that light was an electromagnetic wave.
In standard interpretations of quantum mechanics, light behaves both as a wave and as a particle. The existence of photons is now well accepted by the physics community, and its implication has gone well beyond the photoelectric effect.
In standard interpretations of quantum mechanics, light behaves both as a wave and as a particle. The existence of photons is now well accepted by the physics community, and its implication has gone well beyond the photoelectric effect.
==References==
==References==