Does light from a distant start travel at exactly the same speed all the way from the source to a telescope at sea level on Earth?? Keep in mind that the atmosphere is densest closest to Earth's surface
2007-02-18 12:45:11 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Per the attached link, light evidently travels at a constant rate in a vacuum (in space) but slows down going through air and water. The rate varies depending on what it's going through.
2007-02-18 13:09:29 · answer #1 · answered by Trevor E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
almost the same speed
you can change the speed of light by keeping an obstacle with a refractive index greater than unity
yes the atmosphere will cause a refraction and the light will be slowed down but not much
2007-02-18 23:45:09 · answer #2 · answered by photon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on the point of view of the device that is measuring the speed. Einstein pointed out that time and space are interconnected. Explanations of the universe based on his General Theory of relativity are based on the assumption that light always travels at the same speed.
2007-02-18 21:14:50 · answer #3 · answered by anonimous 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it travels at the same speed, it might get refracted by the differences in density, ie the sunrise and sunset.
i think thats right, im only in yr 12 lol i dont know that much about anything atm roflmao
2007-02-18 20:51:00 · answer #4 · answered by Wilson J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋