> Hi Folks!
>
> I am puzzled with something which probably does not affect the reality,
> if you look at the java applet at;
>
> http://wigner.byu.edu/RefractionofLight/LightRefract.html
>
> selecting VACUUM first, you will see the bars representing light waves
> do not change in spacing as it enters and moves through the VACUUM.
>
> However, if you set it for DIAMOND, not only does the angle change
> significantly when it enters the medium but so does the distance between
> the lines become much closer.
>
> Now if those lines are representing the zero crossing point of a wave,
> then that means the waves are getting closer together which means higher
> frequencies while it is traversing the medium of the diamond (or
> anything denser than vacuum).
Wrong Jerry, The frequency is the same. It is the speed and the wavelength
which changes.
> The index if refraction of a transparent substance can be found
> accurately through a prism. The index of refraction encountered by light
> in anything but a vacuum depends on the wavelength of the light. This
> implies that light of different wavelengths is refracted by different
> angles when it crosses a
> surface. A spectrometer set up with a prism can be used to find the
> different angles of the refracted light.
> --------------------
> Aaaahhhh....so the index of refraction has NOTHING to do with the speed
> of the light through the medium, ONLY the angle of incidence.....ok,
> have to discard using that as any kind of valid reference since the
> topic is SPEED OF LIGHT.
The wave of light is transverse. The demonstration shows longitudinal.
> So the velocity of light passing through matter is lower than in a
> vacuum. I think this all gets into group velocity and wave packets and
> all that mess so I think I'll cogitate on this a bit more as I can't
> find the answers I am looking for....just yet....
> --
> Jerry Wayne Decker / jdecker@keelynet.com
> http://keelynet.com / "From an Art to a Science"
> Voice : (214) 324-8741 / FAX : (214) 324-3501
> KeelyNet - PO BOX 870716 - Mesquite - Republic of Texas - 75187
>
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