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billy_boy_999
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how does air/glass/water slow down light?
Also, how come there is no light that goes straight
Why is it then re-emitted in the same (or opposite, whatever you want) direction that it has been absorbed?Goalie_Ca said:Basically photons carry a certain amount of energy with them. Electrons bound to an atom (not free electrons) will be able to absorb this energy and fly up an energy level or two. When they go back down they will emit a photon.
kuengb said:Why is it then re-emitted in the same (or opposite, whatever you want) direction that it has been absorbed?
The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second, or 186,282 miles per second.
Yes, the speed of light is considered to be a fundamental constant of the universe and is the same for all observers regardless of their relative motion or the speed of the source emitting the light.
According to the theory of relativity, nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass and energy increase infinitely, making it impossible to reach or exceed the speed of light.
The first successful measurement of the speed of light was conducted by Danish astronomer Ole Rømer in the late 17th century using observations of the moons of Jupiter. He estimated the speed to be approximately 220,000 kilometers per second.
The speed of light plays a crucial role in many areas of science, including physics, astronomy, and engineering. It is used in formulas to calculate energy, mass, and other physical properties. It also helps us understand the behavior of the universe, including the concept of space-time and the relationship between matter and energy.