Waves through a medium

[UIC]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Which one of the following best describes the changes that will occur as the light wave passes from air into translucent medium?

A. Wavelength and velocity will increase

B. Wavelength and velocity will decrease

C. Wavelength will increase, and velocity will decrease

D. Wavelength will decrease and velocity will increase

The answer is B but I chose A. I thought that speed of waves increases in solids since they are compressed. So from a gas to solid, shouldn't the velocity increase?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

light waves. light waves.

 

[Salient]

Yes: light waves are fastest in a vacuum, compression waves are fastest in a solid. You should understand why.