How Does Light Behave When It Travels Between Different Mediums?

[gkangelexa]

When light waves travel from one medium (air) to the next (water), their velocity changes. Does their frequency change also? Or does the wavelength change?

 

[tiny-tim]

hi gkangelexa!

the frequency stays the same

(otherwise they wouldn't "join up" properly at the interface )​

 

[Dotini]

Doesn't white light, upon entering a prism, break into colors according to frequency?

Respectfully,
Steve

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Steve!

Yup, but the colours are already there (as good ol' Sir Isaac showed ) …

the colours stay the same, but their speeds change, so they go through at different angles, and become separated.​