Ask a New Question
Menu

The table displays the velocity of light in three different states of matter.

Air:300,000,000
Water:220,000,000
Glass:200,000,000

 

When would the speed of light decrease?

(1 point)
Responses

When light moves from glass to water.
When light moves from glass to water.

When light transitions from glass to air.
When light transitions from glass to air.

When light transitions from water to air.
When light transitions from water to air.

When light moves from air into water.
When light moves from air into water.
Skip to navigation

1 answer

The speed of light decreases when it moves from a medium with a higher velocity to one with a lower velocity. In your table, the speeds of light in different media are as follows:

  • Air: 300,000,000 m/s
  • Water: 220,000,000 m/s
  • Glass: 200,000,000 m/s

Considering the transitions:

  • When light moves from air to water, it goes from 300,000,000 m/s to 220,000,000 m/s (decreases).
  • When light moves from glass to water, it goes from 200,000,000 m/s to 220,000,000 m/s (increases).
  • When light moves from glass to air, it goes from 200,000,000 m/s to 300,000,000 m/s (increases).
  • When light transitions from water to air, it goes from 220,000,000 m/s to 300,000,000 m/s (increases).

The only scenario where the speed of light decreases is when light moves from air into water. So the correct response is:

When light moves from air into water.