What happens to the speed of light when it undergoes refraction? Explain.

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Solution

There can be two causes for the speed of light when it undergoes refraction.
Case 1: Refraction from rarer to denser medium.
The refractive index of the rarer medium is lower than the refractive index of the denser medium.
The refractive index is inversely proportional to the speed of light in a medium. So the speed of light will be decreased in the denser medium as its refractive index is high.
Case 2: Refraction from denser to rarer medium.
The refractive index is inversely proportional to the speed of light in a medium and the rarer medium has a lower refractive index, the speed of light in a rarer medium increases.

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