Refraction and the apparent slowing down of light

[ajassat]

I wish to understand why the speed of light slows down when it enters a medium such as glass or air.

Is this best understood by treating light as a stream of particles or a wave?

I have read that the speed of light (c) is a result of disturbance of the electromagnetic field. In contrast in media through which light is traveling the speed is a disturbance of the field which governs the position and speeds of the electron (in the material).

Is their any snippet of mathematics which can show how the light slows down in the electron containing medium.

Thank You
Adam

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Adam!

For a recent discussion, see https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=337529".

 

[astrokreng]

The phenomenon of refraction, or the bending of light as it passes through a medium, is best understood by treating light as a wave rather than a stream of particles. This is because waves are able to change direction and speed as they pass through different materials, while particles tend to travel in a straight line at a constant speed.

To understand why the speed of light slows down in a medium such as glass or air, it is important to first understand the nature of the electromagnetic field. The speed of light, represented by the symbol "c", is a fundamental constant in the universe and is a result of the disturbance of this electromagnetic field.

When light enters a medium, it interacts with the particles in that medium, such as electrons. These electrons have a role in determining the properties of the material, including its refractive index, which is a measure of how much the speed of light is reduced in that material.

The mathematics behind this phenomenon is described by Maxwell's equations, which are a set of four equations that govern the behavior of the electromagnetic field. These equations can be used to calculate the speed of light in a medium by taking into account the properties of the material, such as the density and electric permittivity.

In summary, the speed of light slows down in a medium because of its interaction with the particles in that medium, specifically the electrons. This can be mathematically described using Maxwell's equations, which take into account the properties of the material.