When we talk about seeing something, we are referring to the process of detecting and perceiving light that interacts with objects and reaches our eyes. While light can be described as a wave, it exhibits properties of both waves and particles (known as wave-particle duality). This concept is described by quantum mechanics.
When light waves encounter an object, they interact with its surface. Some of the light waves are absorbed by the object, while others are reflected or scattered. The reflected or scattered light waves travel in different directions, including toward our eyes.
Our eyes contain specialized cells called photoreceptors, specifically rods and cones, which are sensitive to light. When the reflected or scattered light enters our eyes, it stimulates these photoreceptor cells. The photoreceptors convert the incoming light signals into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.
The electrical signals generated by the photoreceptors are then transmitted to the brain through the optic nerve. The brain processes these signals and constructs the visual perception of the object based on the information received.
So, even though light is a wave, we are able to see objects because the light waves interact with them and are subsequently detected and interpreted by our eyes and brain. The wave nature of light is crucial for phenomena like diffraction and interference, which help shape our perception of the world.