What did Compton's theory on the nature of light propose?
My work, particularly the study of the Compton effect, demonstrated the photon theory of light. The experimental facts showed that when X-rays scatter off electrons, their wavelength increases. This phenomenon is precisely explained by treating the X-ray as a discrete packet of energy, a photon, colliding with the electron. In this collision, energy and momentum are exchanged, much like in the interaction of two macroscopic particles. This provided strong empirical support for the quantum hypothesis and showed that light, while exhibiting wave-like properties in other experiments, also possesses particle-like characteristics. It wasn't a 'theory' in isolation, but a direct consequence derived from careful observation and measurement.
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