To calculate the speed of light traveling through a medium, we can use the equation:
v = c / n
where:
v is the speed of light in the medium,
c is the speed of light in vacuum, and
n is the refractive index of the medium.
In this case, the wavelength of the light is not necessary to determine the speed of light in the medium.
Given:
Wavelength of light, λ = 550 nm (nanometers) = 550 × 10^(-9) m
Refractive index of ice, n = 1.3
The speed of light in vacuum is approximately 3 × 10^8 m/s (c).
Using the equation, we can calculate the speed of light in ice:
v = c / n = (3 × 10^8 m/s) / 1.3 ≈ 2.31 × 10^8 m/s
Therefore, the speed of light traveling through the 50 kg block of ice is approximately 2.31 × 10^8 m/s.