wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

Let us list some of the factors, which could possibly influence the speed of wave propagation:
(i) nature of the source.
(ii) direction of propagation.
(iii) motion of the source and/or observer.
(iv) wavelength.
(v) intensity of the wave.
On which of these factors, if any, does

(a) The speed of light in vacuum
(b) The speed of light in a medium (say, glass or water), depend?

Open in App
Solution

The speed of light in vacuum is a universal constant independent of all the factors listed and anything else. In particular, note the surprising fact that it is independent of the relative motion between the source and the observer. This fact is a basic axiom of Einsteins special theory of relativity.

The speed of light in a vacuum which is 3×108m/s is a universal constant. It is not affected by motion of source, the observer, or both. Hence, the given factor does not affect the speed of light in a vacuum
Out of the listed factors, the speed of light in a medium depends on the wavelength of light in that medium.

flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
0
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Light as Wave
PHYSICS
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon