answersLogoWhite

0


Want this question answered?

Be notified when an answer is posted

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Is light slower in air or water or a vacuum and Why?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Physics

Does light travel fastest in space in air in water or through glass?

Light's apparent speed is fastest definitely in a vacuum and slower in water or glass. Light in air behaves more like in a vacuum than in water or glass.


How does light change speed from glass to air?

In glass, light will go somewhat slower than in a vacuum. Air is almost like a vacuum, with respect to the speed of light - some difference still exists, though.In glass, light will go somewhat slower than in a vacuum. Air is almost like a vacuum, with respect to the speed of light - some difference still exists, though.In glass, light will go somewhat slower than in a vacuum. Air is almost like a vacuum, with respect to the speed of light - some difference still exists, though.In glass, light will go somewhat slower than in a vacuum. Air is almost like a vacuum, with respect to the speed of light - some difference still exists, though.


What happens when light bends and travels through water?

The speed of light though substances is slower than the speed of light in a vacuum. As the light passes from air to water it slows and the ray's path is translated towards the normal to the air/water interface slightly.


Which factors affect the velocity of light?

The speed of light in a vacuum is constant. Otherwise, the speed of light will depend on what materials it travels through. For example, the speed of light in air is similar to the speed of light in a vacuum; in water, it is quite a bit slower.


Why light travels slower in water than in air?

Light travels slower in water than in air because when light enters the water medium, according to the collision theory, the particles of the water gets some of the light energy and displaces light from its real path. As the energy is absorbed, it is a fact that on decreasing the energy of anything, it will get much slower in performing that work. So light travels slower in water than in air.

Related questions

Does light travel faster underwater than in air?

As compared to what? Compared to air, or to a vacuum, light travels quite a bit slower in water.As compared to what? Compared to air, or to a vacuum, light travels quite a bit slower in water.As compared to what? Compared to air, or to a vacuum, light travels quite a bit slower in water.As compared to what? Compared to air, or to a vacuum, light travels quite a bit slower in water.


Is the speed of light slower in air or in a vacuum?

Speed of light is max. in vaccum and slower in air.


Does light travel fastest in space in air in water or through glass?

Light's apparent speed is fastest definitely in a vacuum and slower in water or glass. Light in air behaves more like in a vacuum than in water or glass.


How does light change speed from glass to air?

In glass, light will go somewhat slower than in a vacuum. Air is almost like a vacuum, with respect to the speed of light - some difference still exists, though.In glass, light will go somewhat slower than in a vacuum. Air is almost like a vacuum, with respect to the speed of light - some difference still exists, though.In glass, light will go somewhat slower than in a vacuum. Air is almost like a vacuum, with respect to the speed of light - some difference still exists, though.In glass, light will go somewhat slower than in a vacuum. Air is almost like a vacuum, with respect to the speed of light - some difference still exists, though.


What happens when light bends and travels through water?

The speed of light though substances is slower than the speed of light in a vacuum. As the light passes from air to water it slows and the ray's path is translated towards the normal to the air/water interface slightly.


Which factors affect the velocity of light?

The speed of light in a vacuum is constant. Otherwise, the speed of light will depend on what materials it travels through. For example, the speed of light in air is similar to the speed of light in a vacuum; in water, it is quite a bit slower.


Does light travel slower threw water?

Yes, light travels slower in water than in air.


Why light move slower in air than vacuum?

Light moves slower in air than in a vacuum because air molecules and atoms can interact with the electromagnetic waves of light, causing them to scatter and slow down. In a vacuum, there are no particles to interact with, so light can move through it at its maximum speed of approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.


Does the air have the larges velocity of light?

The velocity of light is highest in a vaccum; slightly slower in air, and a LOT slower in water.


Why light travels slower in water than in air?

Light travels slower in water than in air because when light enters the water medium, according to the collision theory, the particles of the water gets some of the light energy and displaces light from its real path. As the energy is absorbed, it is a fact that on decreasing the energy of anything, it will get much slower in performing that work. So light travels slower in water than in air.


Does light speed up or slow down when it leaves water into the air?

The speed of light in air is almost but not quite the same as its speed in vacuum,whereas its speed in water is about 25% less.So when light passes from air into water, its speed drops by about 25% .


Compared to air the speed of light in water is?

Slower.