Does the speed of light actually slow down in glass?

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SUMMARY

The speed of light does not actually slow down when passing through materials like glass; instead, it is the interaction of photons with the SiO2 molecules that causes a delay. This phenomenon occurs as photons are absorbed and re-emitted by the material, leading to a longer effective travel time. The speed of light in a vacuum remains constant at 3x10^8 m/s, while the effective speed in glass can be approximated at 2x10^8 m/s due to these interactions. Understanding this distinction is crucial for grasping concepts in optics and material science.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of optics and light behavior
  • Familiarity with the concept of photon interactions
  • Knowledge of refractive index and its implications
  • Awareness of SiO2 molecular structure and properties
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of refractive index and its calculation
  • Explore photon absorption and emission processes in materials
  • Learn about the principles of wave-particle duality in light
  • Investigate the role of SiO2 in optical applications
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Students and professionals in physics, materials science, and optical engineering who seek to deepen their understanding of light behavior in different media.

buddingscientist
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ok I've been wondering about this for awhile

when people say the speed of light slows down when going through an object (ie glass).

does the speed of light actually slow down to 2x10^8 m/s

or does the speed of light actually stay constant at 3x10^8, but the photons collide with the SiO molecules in the glass (or whatever), such that by the time the photons exit the glass, it will have taken 1.5x longer than another photon that totally bypassed the glass and traveled in a straight line


i hope that general question I am asking is clear, thanks
 
Science news on Phys.org
In materials photons are adsorbed and reemitted, this causes the delay which we interpret as a lower speed of light.
 
ahh right.
do you happen to know any websites that explain this?
this is beyong the scope of our syllabus
 

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