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?