When light traveling in air passes into a sheet of glass, it is observed to change in wavelength to 58% of its wavelength in air. The speed of light in air is 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s. What is the speed of light in the glass? A) 5.2 × 10⁸ m/s B) 1.7 × 10⁸ m/s C) 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s D) 2.3 × 10⁸ m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The speed of light in a medium is given by the product of its frequency and wavelength in that medium. Since the frequency of light remains constant when it passes from one medium to another, the speed of light in glass is 58% of its speed in air, which is 1.7 × 10⁸ m/s.

When Light Traveling in Air Passes into a Sheet of Glass