College Physics (4th Edition)

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073512141
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-214-3

Chapter 23 - Conceptual Questions - Page 901: 7

Answer

As the ray of light enters the water, the wavelength, the speed of propagation, and the direction of propagation all change.

Work Step by Step

When a ray of light moves from one medium into another medium, the frequency does not change. However, the speed of light in a medium depends on the index of refraction for the medium. Since the index of refraction is greater for water than for air, the speed of propagation decreases in water. Since $\lambda~f = v$, the wavelength also decreases when the ray of light passes from air into water. According to Snell's law, the direction of propagation also changes as the ray of light passes from air into water. As the ray of light enters the water, the wavelength, the speed of propagation, and the direction of propagation all change.
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