3 ms·
My understanding of it is that when light passes through a medium, it does not do so in a straight line. So, while the actual speed of light remains constant,
by brian_ 11y ago
My understanding of it is that when light passes through a medium, it does not do so in a straight line. So, while the actual speed of light remains constant, it takes longer to get from one end to the other.
- paulvs 11y agoTo be precise, light can travel through a medium in a straight line, but it bends when it passes from one material to another. The light bounces off the inner walls of the fiber in a zig-zag fashion as it propagates, so it cannot possibly travel at the speed of light. It depends on the index of refraction as mentioned.
- Robin_Message 11y agoNo, the speed of light decreases in a medium – in fact, the proportional decrease in speed is the refractive index of the material. So much for it being constant huh?