Question

In a certain time, light travels 3.50 km in a vacuum. During the same time, light travels only 2.35 km in a liquid. What is the refractive index of the liquid?

Answer 1

1.45

Step-by-step explanation:

Refractive index of the liquid is given as;

Refractive index =
`(speed of light in vacuum)/(speed of light in liquid)`

But,

speed =
`(distance)/(time)`

Since a certain light of specific wavelength was used during the same time, let the time be represented by t.

So that;

speed of light in vacuum =
`(3500)/(t)`

speed of light in the liquid =
`(2350)/(t)`

Refractive index =
`(3500)/(t)` ÷
`(2350)/(t)`

=
`(3500)/(t)` x
`(t)/(2350)`

Refractive index =
`(3500)/(2350)`

= 1.4536

= 1.45

The refractive index of the liquid is 1.45.