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Physics

Speed of Light in a Medium

Quick fact

In water, light travels at about 225,000 km/s—roughly 25% slower than its vacuum speed of 300,000 km/s. In diamond, light slows to just 124,000 km/s, less than half its vacuum speed.

Why this is interesting

You've seen a straw in a glass of water appear bent—that's because light slows down when it enters water. But why does light slow down at all, and how much slower does it get?