Interaction of light with a shockwave

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the interaction of light with shockwaves, exploring the physics of light propagation and the nature of shockwaves. Participants examine how these two phenomena might influence each other, particularly in terms of their respective mediums and speeds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that light travels independently of a medium due to its electromagnetic wave nature, while shockwaves require a medium for energy transmission.
  • Another participant suggests that Schlieren photography can provide visual insights into shockwaves and their interaction with light.
  • A participant notes that visible shockwaves around fighter planes are often due to water droplets and variations in refractive index caused by density changes.
  • There is a clarification that the speed of light varies in different media, with a vacuum allowing light to travel at its maximum speed, denoted as c.
  • One participant agrees that light slows down when it enters a denser medium like a shockwave and then speeds back up upon exiting, though they caution against oversimplifying this process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of light's interaction with shockwaves, with some clarifying aspects of light propagation while others question the implications of these interactions. No consensus is reached regarding the specifics of how light and shockwaves influence each other.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the assumptions underlying the interaction of light and shockwaves, particularly regarding the definitions of mediums and the conditions under which these interactions occur.

Jstuff
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Hello,

I am trying to understand how light would interact with a shockwave, but for that I need to make sure my understanding of the physics of light is correct.

It is my understanding that light travels independent of a medium because of the electromagnetic waves it produces.

A wave, such as a shockwave, requires a medium to travel through. Particles must bump into other particles to transmit the energy of the wave. If these two things travel in different medium how do they interact? They obviously must because we can see a shockwave when it forms.

Does light simply slow down when it reaches the area of more dense particles that is the shockwave then speed back up, upon exit? Do they influence each other at all?

Thanks for you input!
 
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Not quite a direct answer to your question but for interest Google 'Schlieren images of shockwaves'
 
Last edited:
The shockwaves that one can see sometimes around fighter planes are due to water droplets.

The other thing (as in Schlieren photography) is caused by variation in the refractive index with density.
 
Jstuff said:
It is my understanding that light travels independent of a medium because of the electromagnetic waves it produces.
No, the speed of light is different in different media. A vacuum can also be a "medium" for the transmission of electromagnetic waves, where they reach their maximum speed which we call c. In any other medium, the speed of light is less than c.
Jstuff said:
Does light simply slow down when it reaches the area of more dense particles that is the shockwave then speed back up, upon exit?
"Simply" is probably going a bit far, but basically this is what happens, yes.
 

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