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Light travels at its maximum velocity c in a vacuum. In a medium with a certain refractive index, it is slowed down and travels with velocity c/index
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∙ 15y ago
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Why does light rays bend as it travel from water to air?
because of difference in density of the medium, water is a more dense medium than air.
Refraction causes light to do what?
Refraction is the bending of light when it passes from a dense medium to a differently dense medium. Light therefore finds it easier/more difficult to travel and the speed changes accordingly, which is why it bends.
Do Light waves travel more slowly through air and water?
It travels faster thru air
A ray of light travelling from medium A to medium B bends away from the Norman Which medium is optically denser?
Medium A is the more optically dense medium. As when the light enters B its speed increases taking it toward the normal.
Why does sound move more rapidly -or slowly- through one medium than another?
Generally, the density of the transfer medium and its temperature determines the rate of transfer of sound energy. The more dense the medium and the higher its temperature, the faster sound will travel through it.
Does light change speeds if the source is moving?
The speed of light is constant in its reference plane. You could never observe light moving more slowly, except when it refracts through a transparent medium.
What happens to the direction of a light wave when it passes from a less dense medium such as air into a more medium such as glass?
The light bends when it passes from one medium to another. But only if it approaches the interface at an angle. In such a case it will still travel slower, but there will be no apparent bending.
How can you change the medium that light travels through?
Anything that light will penetrate is a medium light will travel through. Any such medium will slow light down, to a certain degree. Window glass slows light down somewhat. Water slows light down a bit more. A diamond slows light down greatly (part of the reason for the "fire" in a diamond.)
What happens to the direction of light wave when it passes from less dense medium such as air into a more dense medium such as glass?
The light bends when it passes from one medium to another. But only if it approaches the interface at an angle. In such a case it will still travel slower, but there will be no apparent bending.
What material can sound energy travel through slowly?
The more closely packed molecules are in a medium, the faster sound travels through the medium, so sound travels slowest through a gas under low pressure.
What color water does light travel through fastest?
According to the light spectrum, water should travel through a more violet coloured water the fastest. The speed of light through a medium is not governed by its wavelength, so colour is not a factor.
What do light waves travel best through?
Light waves travel fastest through vacuum, at nearly 30 million meters per second. Light travels more slowly through other substances such as air and water, and can be absorbed.
