Science Common Sense


1344 - What factors affect the speed of light?

The speed of light is actually constant in a vacuum (about 299,792 kilometers per second), but it can be affected when it passes through different materials like air, water, or glass. The factors that affect the speed of light are:

  1. Material: Different materials slow down the speed of light. For example, light travels slower in water and glass than in air.
  2. Temperature: The speed of light can be slightly affected by temperature changes in a material.
  3. Density: The speed of light is also affected by the density of a material. Thicker materials can slow down the speed of light more.
  4. Wavelength: Some materials can bend or slow down certain wavelengths (colors) of light more than others.

These factors can make the speed of light seem different, but its speed in a vacuum always remains the same.