Concept explainers
Light can pass easily through water and through air, but light will reflect from the surface of a lake. What does this tell you about the
To explain: Speed of light in air and water.
Explanation of Solution
As light passes from air to water, it changes from one medium to another. In terms of refractive index, water is denser than air.
Hence, the wave speed of light decreases in water. Therefore, some light waves undergo refraction, while some of them reflect back from the plane of water.
Conclusion:
Hence, the speed of light in air and water is described.
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