Single Idea 17551

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / B. Modern Physics / 4. Standard Model / a. Concept of matter]

Full Idea

The idea that electromagnetic waves could be a reality in themselves, independent of any bodies, did at that time not occur to the physicists.

Gist of Idea

It was formerly assumed that electromagnetic waves could not be a reality in themselves

Source

Werner Heisenberg (Physics and Philosophy [1958], 07)

Book Reference

Heisenberg,Werner: 'Physics and Philosophy' [Penguin 1989], p.99


A Reaction

'At that time' is when they thought the waves must travel through something, called the 'ether'.