Please explain to time the fundamental properties of light. Specifically, if light can collide and effect the path of other light.

I mean, if you were to aim two shotguns (loaded with birdshot) perpendicular to each other so that the trajectories of the shot would intersect and fired them, there would be a numerical probablity that two pieces of shot would collied and alter each others course. So, if you were to do the same with, say, a laser beam (in a vacuum) would there be the same effect?

Thanks for the input.
Thaddeus

P.S. I hope this made some sense.

Thaddeus,
you are slightly correct,
if two beams of light intersect, they DO interfere with each other, however the course is not changed.
The interference causes the wave to be either amplified, or decreased in amplitude, depending on how they intersect.
and when they leave each others path, they go back to normal.

Lasers use the constructive interference (higher amplitude) to create such an intense beam.

here is an interesting site on light:


http://www.howstuffworks.com/light1.htm

that sight doesnt really have anything good on interference though,
but sound does the same thing:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/muffler2.htm

hope this helps
-Chris

NASA will use "interferometry" to unscramble interference patterns to detect planets orbiting other stars. The light from the stars is to bright: the glare obliterates the planets, so a roundabout technique is needed.