Multiple Choice
Which of the following best defines an astronomical unit ()?
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1. Intro to Physics Units
Introduction to Units
Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements is true about the speed of light when the medium is uniform?
A
The speed of light varies randomly in the medium.
B
The speed of light decreases as it travels through the medium.
C
The speed of light remains constant throughout the medium.
D
The speed of light increases as it travels through the medium.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the speed of light in a medium depends on the properties of that medium, such as its refractive index.
Recall that in a uniform medium, the refractive index is constant throughout, meaning the optical properties do not change from one point to another.
Since the refractive index \( n \) is constant, the speed of light \( v \) in the medium is given by the relation \( v = \frac{c_0}{n} \), where \( c_0 \) is the speed of light in vacuum.
Because \( n \) does not vary in a uniform medium, the speed \( v \) remains constant as light travels through it; it neither increases nor decreases randomly.
Therefore, the correct statement is that the speed of light \( c \) remains constant throughout a uniform medium.
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