Question

Which of the following phenomenon is not explained by Huygen’s wave theory?

• A. Diffraction
• B. Polarisation
• C. Photoelectric effect
• D. Interference

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Huygen's wave theory is a classical wave theory that can explain several wave phenomena. Here’s a brief explanation:

• Diffraction: This phenomenon occurs when waves bend around obstacles or spread as they pass through narrow openings. Huygen's principle, which involves treating each point on a wavefront as a source of secondary wavelets, can explain how waves spread and create diffraction patterns.
• Polarization: This is the property of waves that can oscillate with more than one orientation. Light, being a transverse wave, can be polarized, and Huygen’s wave theory can account for the changes in wave orientation through reflection and refraction, explaining polarization effects.
• Interference: This is when two waves superpose to form a resultant wave of greater, lower, or the same amplitude. Huygen's wave theory can explain interference through the superposition of waves with the principle of wavefronts interfering spatially.
• Photoelectric Effect: This phenomenon occurs when photons (light particles) collide with a material and cause electrons to be emitted. The photoelectric effect cannot be explained by wave theories like Huygen’s, as it involves quantum aspects of light that were later explained by Einstein's photoelectric equation, asserting the particle nature of light.

Given these explanations, the phenomenon not explained by Huygen’s wave theory is the Photoelectric Effect.