Question

The index of refraction of ethanol is 1.37 calculate the speed of light in ethanol

Answer 1

2.19 x 10⁸ m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

The index of refraction n and the speed of light in ethanol v are related by the following equation

`n=(c)/(v)`

Where c is the speed of light in a vacuum. Replacing n = 1.37 and c = 3 x 10⁸ m/s, we get:

`\begin{gathered} v=(c)/(n) \\ \\ v=\frac{3*10^8\text{ m/s}}{1.37} \\ \\ v=2.19*10^8\text{ m/s} \end{gathered}`

Therefore, the speed of light in ethanol is 2.19 x 10⁸ m/s