Light in medium, time gets affected?

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    Light Medium Time
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between the speed of light in a medium with a refractive index and its potential effects on the perception or measurement of time. Participants explore whether the reduction in light speed implies any changes to the flow of time within that medium, touching on concepts of light propagation and time perception.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the reduction in the speed of light within a medium might imply a change in the motion of time, questioning whether time slows down or speeds up as a result.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to differentiate between group velocity and the velocity of photons in a medium, indicating a potential misunderstanding in the original claim.
  • A participant expresses appreciation for an explanation regarding the movement of photons in solid media, indicating interest in the topic.
  • There is a request for resources to learn more about group velocity and its relation to the discussion, suggesting a desire for deeper understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the reduction in light speed affects time, and multiple viewpoints regarding the interpretation of light behavior in different media remain present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to concepts like group velocity and the behavior of photons, but lacks detailed definitions or explanations of these terms, which may lead to misunderstandings.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the intersections of light behavior, time perception, and the physics of different media, particularly in the context of theoretical and conceptual physics.

A Dhingra
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hi ...
when a ray of light passes through a medium of some refractive index, then due to cancellation of electric fields the speed of light reduces inside the medium as compared to air. with this thought in mind, can we say that, as the speed of light has got reduced , there is something happening to the motion of time inside the medium. either time slows down or becomes faster.
Is that reduce in speed of light affects the time?
( i guess it does not, but i am not sure... so please provide proper reason behind the answer)

thanks
 
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Please start by reading the PF FAQ thread in the General Physics forum.

You also need to learn the difference between group velocity, and the velocity of photons in such a medium.

Zz.
 
the explanation about "Do Photons Move Slower in a Solid Medium?" was amazing...
 
where can i get to read about group velocity and its relation to this...
 

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