Let us list some of the factors which could possibly influence the speed of wave propagation : (i) Nature of source (ii) direction of propagation (iii) motion of source and//or observer (iv) wave length (v) intensity of the wave.
On which of these factors, if any does (a) the speed of light in vaccum (b) speed of light in a medium (say glass or water) depend ?
Let us list some of the factors which could possibly influence the speed of wave propagation : (i) Nature of source (ii) direction of propagation (iii) motion of source and//or observer (iv) wave length (v) intensity of the wave.
On which of these factors, if any does (a) the speed of light in vaccum (b) speed of light in a medium (say glass or water) depend ?
On which of these factors, if any does (a) the speed of light in vaccum (b) speed of light in a medium (say glass or water) depend ?
Text Solution
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(a) Speed of light in vaccum is an absolute constant, according to Einstein's theory of relativity. It does not depend upon ant of the factors listed above ot any other factor.
(b) The speed of light in a medium like water or glass
(i) does not depend upon the nature of the source.
(ii) does not depend upon the direction of rpopagation, when the medium is isotropic.
(iii) does not depend upon motion of the source w.r.t the medium, but depends on motion of the observer relative to the medium.
(iv) depends on wavelength of light, being lesser for shorter wavelength and vice-versa.
(v) does not depend upon intensity of light.
(b) The speed of light in a medium like water or glass
(i) does not depend upon the nature of the source.
(ii) does not depend upon the direction of rpopagation, when the medium is isotropic.
(iii) does not depend upon motion of the source w.r.t the medium, but depends on motion of the observer relative to the medium.
(iv) depends on wavelength of light, being lesser for shorter wavelength and vice-versa.
(v) does not depend upon intensity of light.
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A: The speed of light in vaccum doesn't depend on nature of the source, direction of propagation nature of the source, direction of propagation, motion of the source , or observer wavelength and intensity of the wave. R: The speed of light in vaccum is a universal constant independent of all the factors listed and anything else.
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