Sectieoverzicht

    • In the previous course, Sources of Light, you learnt that many light rays make up a light beam.

      One of the properties of light is that it travels in straight lines and this is referred to as the rectilinear propagation of light. The arrows on the light beam image indicate the direction in which the light is travelling.

    • Parallel, divergent and convergent beams of light

      Beams of light can be either:


      Watch the YouTube video below which will take you through an experiment which demonstrates the rectilinear propagation of light.

    • Experiment

      ThinkTac. (2021). Light - Rectilinear Propagation (CC BY)

      Why don't you try to conduct this experiment using materials that you have on hand?

      Conclusion

      When the three holes on the pieces of cardboard are in a straight line, and the flame is in line with the holes, you will be able to see the flame. This confirms that light travels in a straight line. As soon as you move one of the pieces of cardboard, you will not be able to see the flame. Light is not able to travel in a zigzag manner but only in straight lines.