Question

Identical rays of light enter three transparent blocks composed of different materials. Light slows down upon entering the blocks. Rank the blocks according to the speed light travels in each, from highest speed to lowest speed. Rank from highest speed to lowest speed. To rank items as equivalent, overlap them.

a. Block 1, Block 2, Block 3

b. Block 3, Block 2, Block 1

c. Block 2, Block 3, Block 1

d. Block 1, Block 3, Block 2

Answer 1

The speed of light in different materials depends on the refractive index. The correct order for the blocks is Block 1, Block 3, Block 2. The correct order for the media is diamond, water, air, vacuum.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speed of light in different materials depends on the refractive index of the material.

1. Block 1 has the highest speed of light, followed by Block 3, and then Block 2.
2. To rank the media from the slowest to the fastest light speed, the correct order is: diamond, water, air, and vacuum, which corresponds to option b.
3. The materials in order from fastest to slowest light speed are: air, water, and glass, which corresponds to option d.

Therefore, when identical rays of light enter three transparent blocks of air, water, and glass, the speed of light will be fastest in air, slower in water, and slowest in glass. When it crosses the boundary between these media, the light ray changes direction—a phenomenon called refraction. This means the ray moves closer to the perpendicular when it slows down entering a medium with a higher refractive index, and away from the perpendicular when it speeds up entering a medium with a lower refractive index.