Question

Absolute refractive index of kerosene and alcohol is 1.44 and 1.36

Answer 1

Complete question:

The absolute refractive index of kerosene and alcohol is 1.44 and 1.36 respectively. Find the speed of light in both the mediums. Which one is optically denser?

Complete Answer:

Given:

The refractive index of kerosene, μ1 = 1.44

The refractive index of alcohol, μ1 = 1.44

To Find:

The speed of light in both the mediums and the medium which is  denser.

Calculation:

- The refractive index is calculated by the formula:

Refractive index = Speed of light in Vacuum/Speed of light in medium

⇒ μ = c/v

- Thus, the speed of light in kerosene is calculated as:

v1 = c/μ1

⇒ v1 = 3 × 10⁸/1.44

⇒ v1 = 2.083 × 10⁸ m/s

- And, the speed of light in alcohol is calculated as:

v2 = c/μ2

⇒ v2 = 3 × 10⁸/1.36

⇒ v2 = 2.206 × 10⁸ m/s

- So the speed of light in kerosene and alcohol is 2.083 × 10⁸ m/s and 2.206 × 10⁸ m/s respectively. Since the speed of light is lower in an optically denser medium, kerosene is denser than alcohol.