Question

The velocity of light in water and kerosene are 2.25*108m/sand 2.08*108m/s material has highest refractive index? Prove you
answer by calculation.

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Answer 1

The velocity of light in water will be higher due to its refractive index.

The refractive index of water is 1.33 whereas, that of kerosene is 1.44.

Furthermore, from the definition of refractive index, we know that it is the ratio of the speed of light in air to the speed of light in the medium.

Therefore, we can say that the speed of light in a medium is inversely proportional to its refractive index.

Hence, the higher the refractive index, lower will be the speed of light within it.