Changing the Speed of Light
-RAM V R
INTRODUCTION:
LIGHT:
Light is an electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye and is made
up of wavelength between 380 and 750 nm. Light travels in the sped of three
thousand kilometers per seconds in vaccum.it behaves both as wave and as a
particle.
Light is electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the human eye. It's
made up of photons, which are packets of energy that travel at the speed of
light. Light has many properties, including:
• Wavelength: The distance between successive peaks of the radiated
energy. Visible light has wavelengths between 400–700 nanometers.
• Intensity: The higher the number of photons emitted, the higher the
amplitude.
• Spectrum: A graph of the radiant energy emitted at each wavelength.
• Speed: Light travels at a speed of 300,000 km/sec through a vacuum.
• Direction: Light always moves in a straight line.
Linear speed of light is observed to be of constant magnitude. Since an observer or
source body of light may move at any speed in any direction, constancy of light’s
speed cannot be related to them. Other entity that is present everywhere in space
(and acts on light to move it) is the universal medium.
Therefore, universal medium should be the agency that moves light and motion of
the light should always be in relation to and through the universal medium.
Universal medium should not only move light but it should also stabilize any
variation and maintain its linear speed, at constant magnitude, irrespective of any
influence that may tend to vary linear speed of light. Universal medium should
provide mechanisms for all other properties of light as well.
Methodology
Materials and Equipment:
Laser, prisms, glass slabs, water containers, thermometer, optical fibers, stopwatch, and
measurement tools.
Experimental Setup:
Set up a controlled environment where light can pass through different media and
conditions can be accurately measured.
Procedure:
1. Direct a laser beam through various media and measure the travel time.
2. Vary the temperature of the medium and record changes in light speed.
3. Measure light travel time through optical fibers.
Speed of an electromagnetic wave:
Electromagnetic waves are periodically varying distortions, radiated in the 2D energy
fields (universal medium). In nature, electromagnetic waves are produced by
electromagnetic actions in corresponding atoms of an electric conductor. Electromagnetic
actions are produced by the photons, moving in circular paths, within the primary 3D
particles of the atoms.
Hence, the speed of radiation of distortions (electromagnetic waves) in the 2D energy
fields corresponds to linear speed of photons in their curved paths, within the primary
particles of the atoms. This makes the speed of radiation of electromagnetic wave equal to
the linear speed of light. Changes in the speeds of photons in any medium affect speed of
electromagnetic waves identically.
Matter field (inertial pocket) of a photon and the electromagnetic waves are radiations of
distortions in the 2D energy fields. Spin motion of linearly moving 3D matter-body of a
photon produces wave nature of its inertial pocket. Most properties are common to both,
the inertial pocket (in transverse plane) of a photon and an electromagnetic wave.
Hence, for certain purposes, inertial pocket about a photon also may be regarded as an
electromagnetic wave. Thus, a photon becomes a 3D matter particle accompanied by its
electromagnetic wave. Core-body of a photon is made up of 3D matter.
Energy part of the photon is made up of stress due to distortions (work) in its inertial
pocket – the electromagnetic wave – acting against the restoring efforts inherent in 2D
energy fields.
Experimental Work
Experiment 1: Light in Different Media
Objective: To observe the change in the speed of light when it passes through different
media (air, water, glass).
Procedure: Measure the time it takes for light to travel through different substances and
calculate
the speed.
Results: Data presented in tabular and graphical formats.
Discussion: Analysis of the results.
Experiment 2: Temperature and Light Speed
Objective: To investigate the effect of temperature on the speed of light in a medium.
Procedure: Measure the speed of light in a medium at different temperatures.
Results: Findings presented with appropriate charts.
Discussion: Interpretation of the temperature effect on light speed.
Experiment 3: Light in Fiber Optics
Objective: To study how light speed changes in optical fibers compared to in air.
Procedure: Measure the time it takes for light to travel through an optical fiber.
Results: Data compared to light in air.
Discussion: Insights into the application of fiber optics technology.
Analysis and Discussion
Comparison of Results:
Comparing the speed of light in different conditions reveals the impact of medium and
temperature.
Theoretical Implications:
Experimental findings support theoretical principles of refraction, dispersion, and
temperature dependence.
Potential Applications:
Practical applications include improving fiber optic communication and designing better
optical
devices.
Conclusion:
Summary of Findings:
The experiments demonstrated that the speed of light varies with medium and
temperature.
Implications:
These findings enhance our understanding of light behavior and its technological
applications.
Future Work:
Further research could explore other factors affecting light speed and practical uses of
these variations.
