2.5 Describe and identify experimental evidence for why electromagnetic radiation is a wave

What is interference in electromagnetic radiation?

Interference happens when two waves meet. They can either add together (constructive interference) or cancel out (destructive interference), which is a wave-like behavior.

What is diffraction and how does it show electromagnetic radiation behaves as a wave?

Diffraction is when waves bend around obstacles or through small openings. This behavior happens with light and other electromagnetic waves, showing they act like waves.

What is polarization and why is it important for electromagnetic waves?

Polarization happens when waves vibrate in one direction. Only transverse waves can be polarized, and since light can be polarized, it supports the idea that electromagnetic radiation is a wave.

How does the speed of light in different media support the wave theory?

The speed of light changes in different materials (like air or water), which is typical for waves. This supports that light behaves as a wave.