Question

Explain an experiment to show the rectilinear propagation of light.

Answer 1

We take three pieces of cardboard. Place them one on the top of one another and make a hole in the middle of each cardboard by using a thick nail. Erect these cards up on the table at a short distance away from each other.

Take a candle which is of the same height as the holes in the cards. Light the candle and place it in front of the cards. We see that the light of the candle is visible only when the holes on cards lie in a straight line.

If we disturb them the light of the candle disappears. This experiment shows that light propagates in a straight line.