Re: Another student question

["Paul Camp" <pjcamp@coastal.edu>]

> I've been asked yet another question I am at a loss to explain. I think it's 
> of the "Why isn't torque measured in Joules?" calibre.  
>
> In optics, when a ray of light changes media its frequency is said to be
> unaffected, but its wavelength is changed to reflect the change in velocity 
> in the new medium and /nu = /lambda * f.
>
> Why is frequency unchanged and wavelength changed?  Why not both, or a
> frequency shift?  
>
> Dan M
>
> Dan MacIsaac, 

The progress of the light wave is impeded, not the rate of the 
wiggle. If you walk while doing deep knee bends, then take off 
throught the swamp, your walk slows down but your deep knee bends 
don't.

And if you do that, call me. I want to come watch.

Paul J. Camp                   "The Beauty of the Universe
Assistant Professor of Physics  consists not only of unity
Coastal Carolina University     in variety but also of 
Conway, SC   29528              variety in unity.
pjcamp@coastal.edu                    --Umberto Eco
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