Question

A low-intensity beam of light is sent toward a narrow single slit. On the far side, individual flashes are seen sporadically at detectors over a broad area that is orders of magnitude wider than the slit width. What aspects of the experiment suggest a wave nature for light, and what aspects suggest a particle nature?

Short answer

The particle nature of light shows flashes on the detector screen, while the diffraction of light proves the wave behavior.

Step-by-step solution

Concept used  

A low-intensity beam of light is sent toward a narrow single slit. On the far side, individual flashes are seen sporadically at detectors over a broad area that has an order of magnitude wider than the slit width.

Wave nature 

When light is sent from a single slit, it bends from the corner of slits. It forms a constructive and destructive pattern of interference. Forming interference pattern is the property of a wave. So, we can say light also exhibits wave nature.

Particle nature

When a very low-intensity of light beam passes through a single slit, the bright strips of light called flashes are recorded on the detector screen. That would only be possible if the beam having a bunch of particles strikes the detector's screen. This proves the particle behavior of light.