Respuesta :
When a light wave enters into a medium of different optical density; c. its speed and wavelength change.
A wave can be defined as a disturbance in a medium that progressively transports energy from a source location to another location without the transportation of matter.
In Science (Physics), there are two (2) types of wave and these include;
- Mechanical waves: it requires a medium for its propagation and as such can't travel through an empty space or vacuum. An example of a mechanical wave is sound wave.
- Electromagnetic waves: it doesn't require a medium for its propagation and as such can travel through an empty space or vacuum. An example of an electromagnetic wave is light wave.
Light wave can be defined as an electromagnetic wave that do not require a medium of propagation for it to travel or move through a vacuum of space where no particles exist.
Basically, light wave is characterized by three (3) main characteristics and these are:
- Frequency.
- Wavelength.
- Speed.
The speed at which light wave travels (passes) through a medium is highly dependent on the properties of the medium. Thus, light wave being an example of an electromagnetic wave, its speed and wavelength is based on the optical density of the material that makes up the medium.
Optical density can be defined as a measure of the degree of absorbance of the energy of of an electromagnetic wave as vibrating electrons in an optical medium before transmitting it as an electromagnetic disturbance for a given wavelength. Thus, when the optical density of a medium (material) is less, light wave will move through the material quickly and faster.
However, when the optical density of a medium (material) is high, light wave will move through the material slowly.
In conclusion, speed and wavelength of a light wave would change when it enters into a medium of different optical density.
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