Is the Speed of Light Affected by Atmospheric Conditions?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether the speed of light is affected by atmospheric conditions, specifically within the Earth's atmosphere. Participants explore concepts related to the speed of photons, energy transfer, and the index of refraction in the context of atmospheric physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if photons travel at the speed of light (c) in the atmosphere or if friction impacts their velocity.
  • Another participant explains that photons are emitted and reabsorbed by atmospheric molecules, raising the distinction between the speed of photons and the average speed of energy transfer through the atmosphere.
  • A request is made for clarification on the average speed of energy transfer in the atmosphere.
  • A participant provides information about the index of refraction of air at standard conditions, indicating that light travels at c/1.00029 and notes that friction is not typically associated with light transmission.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of light's speed in the atmosphere, with some focusing on the speed of photons and others on the average speed of energy transfer. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of atmospheric conditions on light speed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of measuring light speed in different contexts and the potential for varying interpretations based on definitions and conditions, such as the index of refraction.

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Do photons travel at the speed of light (c) inside the Earth's atomphere? Or is friction a factor of their velocity.

Ty
 
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Photons are constantly being emitted and reabsorbed by interactions with the molecules in the Earth's atmosphere. Do you want the speed of the photons themselves (which is always c, but because of quantum effects is problematical to measure), or the average speed at which energy is transferred through the Earth's atmosphere (which is easy to measure, and directly related to effects such as diffraction, but is lower than 'c')?
 
Ty, I would like to know the average speed at which energy is transferred through the Earth's atmosphere thnx
 
At standard temperature and pressure, the index of refraction of air is 1.00029 for light in the middle of the visible spectrum. That means that its speed is c/1.00029. Higher in the atmosphere the index of refraction will be even closer to 1. Friction is not a word associated with the transmission of light, as far as I know.
 

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