Speed of Light

Overview

Objectives/Goals One goal of this project was to determine if the speed of light changes in different media. Also, if it did change to see if there are any noticeable connections between light speeds and the media they traveled in. Methods/Materials The materials used were: one glass container, a laser, oil, gelatin, maple syrup, water, shampoo, graph paper, protractor, ruler, calculator, and a pencil. First,the glass container with the tested media in it were put on a specific place on the graph paper on one of two perpendicular lines drawn. A laser was pointed at the container and a point was marked where the light left the container on the graph paper. Then a line was made using the point and connected to the intersection of the perpendicular lines. Using the angle made between this line and the perpendicular lines, as well as the Snell's Law Equation, the refractive index was found. Using the refractive index and the speed of light in a vacuum the speed of light in the tested media was found. Results The results showed that water had the fastest speed, 230 843 279.6 m/s, followed by oil and gelatin, 224 604 358.1 m/s, maple syrup, 211 365 977.7 m/s, and lastly shampoo, 172 393 850.9 m/s. Conclusions/Discussion From this project, it is concluded that the speed of light will change. Based on the order of light speeds, the hypothesis was proven to be correct. Lastly, it is concluded that the speed of light in a vacuum will be slowed down the most in denser media.

Competition history

• CSEF 2014 Physics & Astronomy · Entry J1808

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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