Final answer:
When light passes through different materials, its speed and direction can change due to the interaction with the atoms in the material. This change in speed is known as refraction. As a result, light travels a shorter distance in materials with higher optical density.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why is there a difference in how far light travels as it passes through different materials?
When light passes through different materials, its speed and direction can change due to the interaction with the atoms in the material. This change in speed is known as refraction. The amount of refraction depends on the optical density of the material, which is a measure of how much the material slows down the light. Materials with higher optical density, such as glass or water, slow down the light more than materials with lower optical density, such as air or vacuum. As a result, light travels a shorter distance in materials with higher optical density compared to those with lower optical density.
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