Speed of Waves in different Media

Front

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

Back

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (km/s).

Front

In which medium do sound waves travel fastest?

Back

Sound waves travel fastest in solids due to closely packed molecules that facilitate quicker vibrations.

Front

What happens to the speed of sound when it moves from a solid to a liquid?

Back

The speed of sound slows down when it moves from a solid to a liquid.

Front

How does temperature affect the speed of sound in a medium?

Back

As temperature increases, the speed of sound in a medium generally increases because molecules move faster.

Front

What is the relationship between density and the speed of light in different media?

Back

Light travels faster in less dense media and slower in more dense media.

Front

What is the refractive index?

Back

The refractive index is a measure of how much a wave, such as light, slows down in a medium compared to its speed in a vacuum.

Front

Which medium has the highest refractive index: air, water, or diamond?

Back

Diamond has the highest refractive index among air, water, and diamond.

Front

True or False: Light travels faster in air than in glass.

Back

True, light travels faster in air than in glass because air is less dense.

Front

What is the effect of molecular vibration on wave speed?

Back

Increased molecular vibration generally leads to faster wave speed in solids.

Front

What is the primary reason sound travels slower in air than in water?

Back

Sound travels slower in air than in water because air is less dense than water.