Question

Determine the speed, wavelength, and frequency of light from a helium-neon laser as it travels through polystyrene. The wavelength of the light from the laser is 632.8 nm in air and the index of refraction of polystyrene is 1.490.

Answer 1

Speed:

`2.01x10^(8)m/s`

Wavelength:

`4.24x10^(-7)m`

Frequency:

`4.74x10^(14)Hz`

Step-by-step explanation:

The speed of the laser as it travels through polystyrene can be determine by means of the equation of the refraction index:

`n = (c)/(v)` (1)

Where c is the speed of light and v is the speed of the laser in the medium.

Therefore, v will be isolated from equation 1

`v = (c)/(n)`

`v = (3x10^(8)m/s)/(1.490)`

`v = 2.01x10^(8)m/s`

Hence, the speed of the laser has a value of
`2.01x10^(8)m/s`

Frenquency:

Since, wavelength is the only one who depends on the media. Therefore the frequency in both medium will be the same.

To determine the frequency it can be used the following equation

`c = \\u \cdot \lambda` (2)

Where c is the speed of light,
`\\u` is the frequency and
`\lambda` is the wavelength

Then,
`\\u` wil be isolated from equation 2.

`\\u = (c)/(\lambda)` (3)

Before using equation 3 it is necessary to express
`\lamba` in units of meters.

`\lambda = 632.8nm . (1m)/(1x10^(9)nm)` ⇒
`6.328x10^(-7)m`

`\\u = (3x10^(8)m/s)/(6.328x10^(-7)m)`

`\\u = 4.74x10^(14)s^(-1)`

`\\u = 4.74x10^(14)Hz`

Hence, the frequency of the laser has a value of
`4.74x10^(14)Hz`

Wavelength:

To determine the wavelength it can be used:

`v = \\u \cdot \lambda`

`\lambda = (v)/(\\u)`

Where v is the speed of the laser through the polystyrene.

`\lambda = (2.01x10^(8)m/s)/(4.74x10^(14)s^(-1))`

`\lambda = 4.24x10^(-7)m`

Hence, the wavelength of the laser has a value of
`4.24x10^(-7)m`