The speed of light in air is 3×108 m s–1, whereas that of the speed of light in water is 2.26×108 m s–1. What is the refractive index of water with respect to air?
1
0.75
1.32
2.64
Answers
Hola there,
Speed of light in air = 3 × 10^8
Speed of light in water = 2.26 × 10^8
Refractive index of water = Speed of light in air/speed of light in water
= (3 × 10^8)/(2.26 × 10^8)
= 1.32743363 ....Ans
Hope this helps...:)
Given,
The speed of light in air = 3×10⁸ m/s
The speed of light in water = 2.26×10⁸ m/s
To find,
The refractive index of water with respect to air.
Solution,
We can simply solve this numerical problem by using the following process.
In this case the refractive index of water with respect to air, will be :
= (Speed of light in air / Speed of light in water)
= [(3×10⁸)m/s] ÷ [(2.26×10⁸)m/s]
= (3×10⁸) / (2.26×10⁸)
= 3/2.26
≈ 1.32 (taken from given options)
(As, the division is of two physical quantities with same units, the final result or refractive index is independent of any unit).
Hence, the refractive index is 1.32