gkangelexa Messages 81 Reaction score 1 Thread starter Jul 8, 2011 #1 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?
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 Science Advisor Homework Helper Messages 25,837 Reaction score 258 Jul 8, 2011 #2 hi gkangelexa! the frequency stays the same (otherwise they wouldn't "join up" properly at the interface )
hi gkangelexa! the frequency stays the same (otherwise they wouldn't "join up" properly at the interface )
Dotini Gold Member Messages 639 Reaction score 230 Jul 8, 2011 #3 Doesn't white light, upon entering a prism, break into colors according to frequency? Respectfully, Steve
Doesn't white light, upon entering a prism, break into colors according to frequency? Respectfully, Steve
tiny-tim Science Advisor Homework Helper Messages 25,837 Reaction score 258 Jul 8, 2011 #4 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.
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.