Refraction a test for the models….
Both the wave and particle image explains refraction
- after Newton’s theory the speed of light in a material should be bigger than in vacuum
- the wave model predicts speed of light in materials smaller than in vacuum (nɭ)
Measuring the speed of light in vacuum and transparent materials--> a test for the models
19th century: measurement of the speed of light in air and water (Foucault)
speed of light in air bigger!
As n increases the speed of light decreases in the materials --> prove in favor of the wave model!
Should be inversely in the Newtonian model