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The concept that light is composed of quanta known as photons is a fundamental principle of quantum physics. Photons are the elementary particles that carry electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, and they exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties. This dual nature is central to the field of quantum mechanics, as it describes how light behaves under various conditions and interactions.

Photons are characterized by properties such as their energy, frequency, and momentum. They travel at the speed of light in a vacuum and are responsible for carrying electromagnetic energy. This understanding of light as quantized can be traced back to the work of Max Planck and Albert Einstein, who contributed significantly to the development of quantum theory.

Understanding that light is made of photons helps explain phenomena such as the photoelectric effect, where electrons are emitted from materials when they absorb energy from light, demonstrating the particle aspect of light. The term "photon" captures this quantized nature and is essential in discussions of electromagnetic radiation in quantum physics.