when light passes from one medium into another the frequency stays unchanged, what happens to the wavelength?

Answer 1

Usually If frequency is unchanged, the wavelengths are unchanged bec frequency (f) and (wavelength) are reciprocals:

f= c/(wavelength) & (wavelength)= c/f where c=speed of light

If the frequency doesn't change when light passes from one medium into another the light is refracted(bent) and we measure it as the *index of refraction (n) :

n= (wavelength in a vacuum ) / (wavelength in the medium)

since c is constant in any medium and it cancels out. I assume no absortion or re-emmision of the light

note: speed, the magnitude of light, does not change but direction does and since velocity is a vector with magnitude and direction, velocity does change going from one medium to another. BTW frequency and wavelengths are not vector quantities and you would be mixig scalars and vectors which is a nono. All these comments are intended to keep you on track.

Answer 2

Because frequency depends on the source, the cause of the oscillation. Even though light is in a different medium than the source, it still came from the source (the sun, a lamp, an antenna etc). It's frequency is therefore unchanged. Unless, of course, the source frequency changes.

Answer 3

It all depends on what medium, and what color of light. different types of matter have different effects on what wavelengths of light are absorbed or reflected. Each color of light has its own wavelength associated with it, white light is a combination of all wavelengths of visible light. Light is generally bent or changes direction when it moves from one form of matter to another, unless of course it is absorbed.

Answer 4

The wave length will change as the velocity changes.