- #1
Mohji
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Homework Statement
A light wave has a 678 nm wavelength in air. Its wavelength in a transparent solid is 493 nm.
a) What is the speed of light in this solid?
b) What is the light's frequency in the solid?
Homework Equations
v = λf
The Attempt at a Solution
a) I got the correct answer for this one. Let v1 and λ1 be speed of light and wavelength in air, v2 and λ2 in solid.
v1 = λ1f
f = v1 / λ1
f = (3.00e8 m/s) / (6.78e-9 m)
f = 4.42e16 Hz
v2 = λ2f
v2 = (4.93e-9 m) (4.42e16 Hz)
v2 = 2.18e8 m/s
This is the correct answer.
b) I was under the impression that the frequency of light does not change from one medium to another, meaning it would still be 4.42e16 Hz. This is the principle that I used to solve a). However, the online assignment keeps telling me that the answer is incorrect.
Am I making a mistake here? Any help would be greatly appreciated.