The discussion centers on the behavior of light as it transitions between different media, specifically water and vacuum. When light enters water, its wavelength changes to 380nm, but its frequency remains constant. Upon exiting the water into a vacuum, the wavelength will revert to its original value, dictated by the speed of light in a vacuum. This phenomenon highlights the fundamental relationship between wave speed, wavelength, and frequency, emphasizing that frequency remains unchanged across media boundaries.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, educators teaching wave mechanics, and professionals in optics or photonics will benefit from this discussion.
I think this must be one of the most frequently asked questions in Physics. Strange - but not so strange is that we all accept the fact that sound doesn't change frequency as it passes through different media. Where's the difference between the two ideas? Imo, it has to be because we started off (and still do, largely) by quantifying light in terms of its wavelength but we hear the frequency of sound.The Baron said:once it comes out of the water, to vacuum will the wavelength remain at 380nm or will it change?