logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2023
39m 57s

AaS! 201: How Does Light Slow Down?

Paul M. Sutter
About this episode

If light always travels at the speed of light, how does it slow down when passing through air or water? Does it matter if light is made of particles or waves? What’s the difference between phase velocity and group velocity, and how does that all play into this? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman!

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/spaceman and get on your way to being your best self. Visit BetterHelp to get 10% off your first month!

Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com

Follow on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PaulMattSutter Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulMattSutter Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/PaulMSutter

Read a book: http://www.pmsutter/book

Keep those questions about space, science, astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and cosmology coming to #AskASpaceman for COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF TIME AND SPACE!

Big thanks to my top Patreon supporters this month: Justin G, Chris L, Barbara K, Duncan M, Corey D, Justin Z, Naila, Scott M, Rob H, Justin, Louis M, John W, Alexis, Gilbert M, Joshua, John S, Thomas D, Simon G, Erin J, Jessica K, Valerie H, David B, Frank T, Tim R, Tom Van S, Mark R, Alan B, Craig B, Richard K, Dave L, Stephen M, Maureen R, Stace J, Neil P, COTFM, Stephen S, Ken L, Alberto M, Matt C, Joe R, David P, Ulfert B, Sean M, Edward K, Tracy F, Sarah K, Steven S, Ryan L, Ella F, Richard S, Sam R, Thomas K, James C, Jorg D, R Larche, Syamkumar M, John S, Fred S, Homer V, Mark D, Colin B, Bruce A, Steven M, Brent B, Bill E, Tim Z, Thomas W, Linda C, David W, Aissa F, Marc H, Avery P, Scott M, Thomas H, Farshad A, Matthias S, Kenneth D, Maureen R, Michael W, Scott W, David W, Neuterdude, Cha0sKami, Robert C, Robert B, Gary K, Stephen J, dhr18, Anna V, Matthew G, Paul & Giulia S, Ron D, Steven M, Louis M, Michael C, Alyssa K, Lode D, Roger, Bob C, Patti H, Red B, Benjamin M, BlueDragon, Stephen A, Ian S, James R, Skip M, Robert O, Adam I, Lynn D, Jeffrey C, Allen E, Paul G, Michael S, Jordan, Colin H, Jessica M, Thomas H, and Reinaldo A!

Thanks to Cathy Rinella for editing.

Hosted by Paul M. Sutter, astrophysicist and the one and only Agent to the Stars (http://www.pmsutter.com).

Up next
Jul 8
AaS! 251: Are the Cosmic Voids Really Empty?
How do we actually define voids? Are there regions within them that are truly empty? What would it be like to be inside one? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman! Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com W ... Show More
30m 51s
Jun 17
AaS! 250: Where Do the Constants of Nature Come From? Part 2
Part 2 of 2! What are the modern constants of nature? Is the universe fine-tuned for life? Does the multiverse or string theory explain the origins of the constants? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman! Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter Al ... Show More
33m 24s
May 20
AaS! 248: What’s Going on Inside Neutron Stars?
What’s inside a neutron star? What strange states of matter do we encounter? And what mysteries will we find deep in the core? I discuss these questions and more in today’s Ask a Spaceman! Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter All episodes: http://www.AskASpaceman.com ... Show More
32m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2021
Cosmic Queries – James Webb Space Telescope
What’s the deal with the James Webb Space Telescope? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen learn about the JWST and what it will help us discover with NASA astronomer Natalie Batalha and filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or l ... Show More
54m 55s
May 2022
How can sunlight turn into electricity?
#021 RebroadcastThis week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of solar energy. How do we capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity? Is it as super insanely cool as it seems? Are we living in the future already?How to start a podcast. 
31m 18s
Apr 2022
How To FORGIVE Yourself For Past Mistakes
If you've ever made a huge mistake, you might be haunted by that experience. And if you're wondering how to forgive yourself for past mistakes - you've come to the right place. WG Media now operates 50+ shows on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Podcasts ... Show More
6m 17s