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Chapter 5: Problem 16

We know that the speed of light in a vacuum is \(3 \times 10^{5} \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{s}\) Is it possible for light to travel at a lower speed? Explain your answer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Yes, light can travel at a lower speed in media other than a vacuum due to interactions with particles.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the speed of light in a vacuum

The speed of light in a vacuum is a constant and is given as \(3 \times 10^{5} \, \text{km/s}\). This is the maximum speed at which light can travel.
02

Recognize the conditions of a vacuum

A vacuum is an environment with no matter. It is devoid of any particles that could interact with light.
03

Consider travel through different mediums

When light travels through media other than a vacuum, such as air, water, or glass, its speed can decrease due to interactions with the particles in these media.
04

Conclude whether light can travel at a lower speed

Since light can interact with particles in different media, it is possible for light to travel at a lower speed than in a vacuum.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Vacuum
A vacuum is a space where there is no matter. This means it is completely empty with no particles like atoms or molecules. The vacuum of outer space is an example. Because there are no particles, light can travel at its maximum speed of \(3 \times 10^5 \, \text{km/s}\) in a vacuum. The lack of interference allows light to move unobstructed and at its fastest possible speed.
Light Interaction with Media
When light travels through different types of media such as air, water, or glass, it slows down. This is because light interacts with the particles in these media. The particles can absorb and then re-emit the light waves, causing them to take a little extra time to move through the medium. For instance:
  • In air, light travels a bit slower than in a vacuum.
  • In water, light travels even slower.
  • In glass, light slows down considerably more compared to water or air.
This slowing down occurs because the medium's particles impede light's progress, making it travel at a lower speed than its maximum in a vacuum.
Constants in Physics
In physics, many constants help scientists describe and predict the natural world. The speed of light in a vacuum \( c \) is one such fundamental constant. It remains consistent across the universe and is crucial for many calculations. Some key constants include:
  • The speed of light in a vacuum \( c = 3 \times 10^5 \, \text{km/s} \)
  • Gravitational constant \( G \), which governs the force of gravity between masses
  • Planck's constant \( h \), related to the quantization of energy levels in quantum mechanics
These constants help in creating accurate models of physical phenomena, making them indispensable tools in scientific study and application.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

As a blackbody becomes hotter, it also becomes ______ and ______. a. more luminous; redder b. more luminous; bluer c. less luminous; redder d. less luminous; bluer

Star A and star B appear equally bright in the sky. Star A is twice as far away from Earth as star B. How do the luminosities of stars \(A\) and \(B\) compare? a. \(\operatorname{Star} \mathrm{A}\) is 4 times as luminous as star \(\mathrm{B}\). b. Star A is 2 times as luminous as star \(B\). c. \(\operatorname{star} \mathrm{B}\) is 2 times as luminous as star \(\mathrm{A}\) d. \(\operatorname{Star} \mathrm{B}\) is 4 times as luminous as star \(\mathrm{A}\)

Which of the following factors does not directly influence the temperature of a planet? a. the luminosity of the Sun b. the distance from the planet to the Sun c. the albedo of the planet d. the size of the planet

Assume that an object emitting a pure tone of \(440 \mathrm{Hz}\) is on a vehicle approaching you at a speed of \(25 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\). If the speed of sound at this particular atmospheric temperature and pressure is \(340 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\), what will be the frequency of the sound that you hear? (Hint: Keep in mind that frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength.

A planet with no atmosphere at 1 AU from the Sun would have an average blackbody surface temperature of \(279 \mathrm{K}\) if it absorbed all the Sun's electromagnetic energy falling on it (albedo \(=0\) ). a. What would be the average temperature on this planet if its albedo were 0.1 , typical of a rock-covered surface? b. What would be the average temperature if its albedo were \(0.9,\) typical of a snow-covered surface?
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