Corpuscular theory of light

• • According to the corpuscular theory of light, set forward by Sir Isaac Newton, light is made up of small discrete particles called "corpuscles" (little particles). In its contemporary incarnation, the theory of Photons, this idea explains many properties of light, in particular the photoelectric effect. However, it fails to explain other effects, such as interference and diffraction. It was therefore superseded by the wave theory of light, later understood as part of electromagnetism, and eventually supplanted by modern quantum mechanics and the wave–particle duality.

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See also

• Corpuscularianism

The above theory of Newton's remained in force for almost 150 years and took precedence over Huygen's wave front theory, as the former was a better known and respected scientist. However when the corpuscular theory failed to explain a few phenomenons it was abandoned in favour of Huygen's theory.