Does Light Bend or Slow Down Due to Gravity and Medium Interactions?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of light in the presence of gravity and different media. It is established that light does not slow down or bend due to gravity; instead, gravity warps the space around massive objects, causing light to follow a curved path. Additionally, when light interacts with materials like water or mirrors, it does not bend or slow down but rather exchanges energy with atoms, resulting in a change in direction of the emitted photons. This understanding aligns with the principles of general relativity and the behavior of light in various mediums.

PREREQUISITES
  • General relativity principles
  • Photon behavior in different media
  • Basic concepts of light-matter interaction
  • Understanding of electric fields in conductors
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of general relativity and its implications on light behavior
  • Explore the concept of light refraction and reflection in various media
  • Investigate the interaction of photons with matter at the atomic level
  • Learn about electric field behavior in conductors and its implications for electromagnetic theory
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of optics, and anyone interested in the fundamental properties of light and its interactions with gravity and materials.

billw_willy
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I'm a newbee here and have read some of the posts about light photons having no mass. I have a question/comments that need to be verified.
I received an answer a few years ago about "bending" or reflecting of light and of "slowing down" of light in other than a "pure" vacuum.
The answers stated that light does not actually slow down or bend around massive objects, instead the space around massive objects is bent by the gravity of the object and that light travels only in straight lines and maintains velocity.
The answer continued with the explanation that light is not actually bent (in water) or reflected (mirrors), that as light photons hit any object (atoms in water, metals in mirrors) the photons exchanges light energy for mass and the masses hit generates photons directed in other directions.
Are these reasonable explanations for the phenomenon?
 
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are you aware of how electric fields are excluded from the interior of condictors?
 

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