Speed of light when it reflects from a surface

Question

I have studied in school that the speed of light is always a constant, my question is what is happening when it reflect from a surface? when it hit a surface weather the velocity reached to zero and again increase to speed of light?

I only have high school knowledge of Physics. Please explain me in layman's terms.

Related: What is happening at a atomic level when light hits an object? What happens when a photon hits a mirror?, How do mirrors work?. — Emilio Pisanty, Aug 03 '17 at 09:58

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 03 '17 at 10:05

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The speed of light isn't always constant! light moves at different speeds in different mediums. For example, a prism, where the different wavelengths move at different speeds causing it to split.

With regards to a mirror, it stays constant. Imagine a string attached to a wall. If you send a wave down it, the wave does not stop at the wall, but reflects in the opposite direction, and the same happens with light (which acts as both a wave and a particle)

answered Aug 03 '17 at 10:05

G.Bruce

352

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Typically the statement 'speed of light is constant' implies in vacuum. – Kyle Kanos Aug 03 '17 at 11:10
Yep, so not ALWAYS constant =) – G.Bruce Aug 03 '17 at 11:19
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The intention of my statement was to alert you that it's not really relevant for you to correct that point when the implication of OP's statement is correct. – Kyle Kanos Aug 03 '17 at 11:23
Forgive me, I was only trying to help further their understanding. I did not think that was a bad thing. – G.Bruce Aug 03 '17 at 11:25

Speed of light when it reflects from a surface

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