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Speed of light is max. in vaccum and slower in air.
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∙ 13y ago
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What might cause the speed of light to vary?
The speed of light varies depending on what kind of material it's traveling through. It's fastest when in vacuum, and it's different, and slower, in air, water, alcohol, oil, glass, jello, etc.
What is the ratio of speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of sound in air?
In a rough, round figure? 930,000 to 1. Sound travels roughly 1/5 of a mile per second in air. Light travels 186,000 miles per second in a vacuum. In five seconds sound travels one mile. In five seconds, light travels 930,000 miles in a vacuum.
Why is light speed always constant?
A great question. First--It isn't always constant. Light can travel slower than "c" ("the speed of light"). In a perfect vacuum light travels at "c". It's slower in glass, air, water, etc., light can even stop! But "c" is the upper speed limit. Second--Not only light but ANY disturbance in the universe has a speed limit of "c". Even the influence of gravity travels at the speed of light. Third--Einstein didn't just wake up one day with a good idea. The constancy of the speed of light (and relativity in general) explained many curious observations that had been made, and solved many physics problems. Fourth--There have been competing theories that allow a variable "c" but all the experiments indicate that it is indeed a constant value.
What is meant by optical density equals 1?
It means that the speed of light in that medium is the same as in vacuum. This is ALMOST the case for stuff like "air". If you measure closely enough, it is only true for vacuum, all other materials have an optical density > 1.
The speed of light and the speed of sound?
The speed of air at 20 degrees Celsius is 343 meters per second. The speed of light is 299 792 458 meters per second.
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.
Is the speed of sound equal to an electromagnetic wave?
No, speed of sound in air is much slower than the speed of light in vacuum.
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 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 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.
Through which does light travel best?
Speed of light is fastest through vacuum. Although it is only about 0.001 times slower in air.
Is speed of light uniform or not?
The speed of light in a vacuum is constant everywhere. The speed of light in a particular medium depends on what the medium is. It moves slower in air than in a vacuum, and slower in water than in air.
Speed of light travel?
Very nearly 300,000,000 meters per second, in vacuum. A bit slower, but not much, 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.
Why is the speed of sound slower then the speed of light?
The sound needs a medium to be transported. Without that medium (vacuum) there is no sound. The sound is blocked by air mulecules. The light does not need a medium.
Can light travel with lower speed than light speed?
Light can certainly travel slower than its speed in vacuum ... 299,792,458 meters per second.It travels slower than that whenever it's traveling through anything other than vacuum, such as air, water, glass, jello, etc.Light slows when it travels through any material medium. In fact, the speed of light in a medium is equal to the speed of light in a vacuum divided by the index of refraction of the medium.
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% .
