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To calculate the speed of light in any medium (like water) start with the speed of light in a vacuum (exactly 299,792,458 meters per second) and divide it by the index of refraction of that media. In most cases you can round off the speed of light to 299,800,000 meters per second.
The index of refraction of water is about 1.33; so the speed of light in water is about 225,400,000 meters per second.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThere are several different types of glass, and light has different speeds in each of
them. A typical value for the speed of light in glass is about 2/3 the speed of light
in vacuum, or roughly 200,000 km/sec .
The reason is . . .
-- The speed of light in any substance is determined by the electrical and magnetic
properties of that substance.
-- In glass, the product of (electrostatic permittivity, ε) x (magnetic permeability, μ )
is typically around 2.5 x 10-11 sec2/km2 .
-- So the reciprocal of its square root ... the speed coefficient in the wave form
of Maxwell's equations ... is typically around 200,000 km/sec.
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What percentage of the speed of light in vacuum is the speed of light in water?
When light with wavelength of 589 nanometers moves through water at the temperature of 20° C, its speed is 75% of the speed of light in vacuum.
Is the speed of light in water should be more than the speed of light in a vacuum?
No. Light slows down whenever it passes through water. Nothing is faster than the speed of light in a vaccum.
Where is the speed of light greater than the speed of light in water?
The speed of light through vacuum is constant. The speed of light through air is slightly less. The speed of light through water or some other medium is even less than that. The factor by which the speed of light (and its wavelength) is reduced within a medium is called the "index of refraction" (which determines the amount of bending that occurs when light goes from one medium to another).
Is it possible to travel at the speed of light in water?
The speed of light in water is less than the speed of light in space. Only light can travel at the speed of light.
Does the speed of light differ?
The speed of light is different in different media; light travels more slowly in water than it does in air, for example.
Does light speed up as it travels through water?
No, light does not speed up in water, it slows down.
What percentage of the speed of light in vacuum is the speed of light in water?
When light with wavelength of 589 nanometers moves through water at the temperature of 20° C, its speed is 75% of the speed of light in vacuum.
What does 'at 25C the refractive index of water is 1.333' mean?
It means that the speed of light through water at that temperatureis [ (the speed of light through vacuum) divided by (1.333) ].
Is the speed of light in water should be more than the speed of light in a vacuum?
No. Light slows down whenever it passes through water. Nothing is faster than the speed of light in a vaccum.
Does Light moves slower through water than through air?
The speed of light is constant
Is this true or false that light moves slower through water than through air?
Yes it is true. If c is the speed of light in air then in water it will be 3/4 of c Hence refractive index of water = speed of light in air/speed of light in water So refractive index = 4/3 = 1.333
Where is the speed of light greater than the speed of light in water?
The speed of light through vacuum is constant. The speed of light through air is slightly less. The speed of light through water or some other medium is even less than that. The factor by which the speed of light (and its wavelength) is reduced within a medium is called the "index of refraction" (which determines the amount of bending that occurs when light goes from one medium to another).
What happens to the speed of the light as it travels from the air through the glass and then through the water?
The light refracts due to the change in speed. The change in speed occurs because the light is travelling through a denser medium. So it will travel fastest through the air and slowest through the glass
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.
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.
Is it possible to travel at the speed of light in water?
The speed of light in water is less than the speed of light in space. Only light can travel at the speed of light.
Which formula you use to calculate for the speed of light in water?
Speed of light in water = speed of light in vacuum/refractive index of water
