Which theory describes light as traveling through space in small bursts of energy?

The corpuscular theory describes light as being composed of tiny particles or "corpuscles" that travel through space in small bursts of energy. This theory was notably advanced by Sir Isaac Newton, who proposed that light consists of particles that can exhibit behaviors such as reflection and refraction. The concept emphasizes the particle-like properties of light, highlighting that it can travel in discrete packets or bursts of energy rather than as a continuous wave. This focus on particles helps explain certain phenomena that wave theory struggles with, such as the photoelectric effect.

In contrast, while wave theory emphasizes that light behaves as a wave and can exhibit properties such as interference and diffraction, it does not encapsulate the idea of light traveling in bursts. Quantum theory expands on the concepts of both wave and particle theories and incorporates the dual nature of light, but it is more complex and incorporates principles such as quantization of energy levels and uncertainty. Particle theory aligns closely with corpuscular theory but is often used more broadly in various contexts beyond light. Thus, identifying the corpuscular theory specifically addresses the notion of light traveling through space as bursts of energy.