Wavelength, Frequency, & Speed of Light in Different Media

In summary, the time it takes for a short pulse of light to travel from one end of a glass with thickness L and index of refraction n=1.5 is L / (c/1.5), where c = \lambda * f and f is the frequency of the laser light in vacuum which is L/10.
  • #1
jcvince17
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Homework Statement



A beam of light from a monochromatic laser shines into a piece of glass. The glass has thickness L and index of refraction n=1.5. The wavelength of the laser light in vacuum is L/10 and its frequency is f. In this problem, neither the constant c nor its numerical value should appear in any of your answers

How long does it take for a short pulse of light to travel from one end of the glass to the other?
Express your answer in terms of some or all of the variables f and L. Use the numeric value given for in the introduction.



Homework Equations



c = [tex]\lambda[/tex] * f
f = 1/t
n = c/v

The Attempt at a Solution



t = 15/f

i know this answer is correct, but I still cannot come up with how the correct answer was derived.
https://www.physicsforums.com/archive/index.php/t-225369.html
 
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  • #2
The speed in the glass is c/n = c/1.5
The time through the glass is distance/speed = L / (c/1.5)
Since you know c = [tex]\lambda[/tex] * f, you simple have to rearrange the equation subsituting for c.
 
  • #3
thanks you. i will begin working out the substitution.
 

1. What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

The wavelength and frequency of a wave are inversely proportional to each other. This means that as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation: speed = wavelength x frequency.

2. How does the speed of light vary in different media?

The speed of light is constant in a vacuum, but it can vary in different media such as air, water, and glass. This is due to the different densities and refractive indices of these materials, which affect the speed at which light travels through them.

3. What is the relationship between the speed of light and the refractive index of a medium?

The speed of light in a medium is inversely proportional to the refractive index of that medium. This means that as the refractive index increases, the speed of light decreases. This relationship is described by the equation: speed = c/n, where c is the speed of light in a vacuum and n is the refractive index of the medium.

4. How does the wavelength of light change when it travels through different media?

The wavelength of light changes when it travels through different media due to the change in the speed of light. As the speed of light decreases in a medium, the wavelength also decreases. This can be seen in phenomena such as refraction, where the bending of light is caused by the change in speed as it travels from one medium to another.

5. Can light travel at different speeds in the same medium?

No, light always travels at the same speed in a specific medium. However, the speed of light can vary in different mediums, as determined by their densities and refractive indices. This is why light can appear to slow down or speed up when it travels through different materials.

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