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Hmmmmmm, interesting point Zuts, however, further down the page it says that;
"Since the speed of light in a material depends on the refractive index, and the refractive index may depend on the frequency of the light, light at different frequencies can travel at different speeds through the same material. This effect is called dispersion"
so while this may be true for light of different frequencies there is not enough information in the question for a definitive answer to be made in this case. It also doesnt specify what type of "radio" wave is being compared and since light and radio are both waves within the electromagnetic spectrum, yes they will be affected by different media to different degrees, but based on this question, I dont think there is enough information to base the assumption that radio waves would therefore be unaffected or if so, by how much, so it is possible that they are BOTH affected by the atmosphere to the point of becoming the SAME speed again, unlikely, but possible?
Certainly, other waves such as sound actually speed up in media such as water, and if sound waves are accelerated, dispersed or scattered by water or reflected by atmospheric conditions, couldnt the same argument be used to say that the radio waves would also be dispersed or impeded by the medium through which they are passing too? Radio waves are blocked and reflected by other objects such as trees, buildings etc, so why is water or mist in the atmosphere any different?
I know it descends into dark pits of theory and such after this, but as I said, i dont think there is enough information in the question for a definitive NO in this case. (eg. what frequency light, radio waves, what atmosphere? at sea level or ionosphere? et al)
However I may be wrong based on the question being a specific reference to something Matt is studying and therefore its worded this way to make them think - "aah yes, they DONT travel at the same speed in the atmosphere, I remember that from Chapter 7 page 5" for example
whew! In a nutshell, too many variables in light, atmosphere, frequency, altitude, weather etc etc to say NO.
Poor Matt is probably going to stay up now after this. Sorry Matt.
Chris
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