Velocity of light in water cloud

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The velocity of light in a non-homogeneous cloud is influenced by both the cloud's density and its index of refraction compared to air. When considering the cloud as a single entity, its density is factored into the overall index of refraction. However, if analyzing individual water droplets, the light's speed through each droplet is determined solely by the index of refraction. The overall speed of light through the cloud is affected by the number of droplets encountered, which correlates with the cloud's density. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for accurate calculations of light velocity in such mediums.
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If laser energy travels through a non-homogeneous cloud, does the velocity changes with the cloud density as well or only due to the different than air index of refraction?
 
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At what "level" do you want this considered? That is, if you are thinking about the cloud as a single object the light is going through, then the density is included in the index of refraction. If you are considering each drop of water separately, the speed through each drop depends only on the index of refraction, but then the overall speed depends upon how many drops the light goes through- i.e,. the density.
 
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