You are given three media A, B and C of refractive index 1.33, 1.65 and 1.46. The medium in which the light will travel fastest is
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) equal in all three media
Answers
Refractive index, n, is the ratio of speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in that medium.
n = c/v
Here speed of light in vacuum is constant but differs in different media and refractive index is inversely proportional to v. Thus if refractive index is more than the speed of light in that medium will be lesser and vice versa.
Hence speed of light in medium of lowest refractive index will be more.
Hence in medium A light will travel the fastest.
The medium in which the light will travel fastest is medium A
Explanation:
1. It is given that there are three materials A, B and C whose refractive index are the following: 1.33, 1.65 and 1.46 respectively.
2. We are asked to find out which in material the speed of light will be the highest. To find out, we have to compare the refractive index of the three materials.
3. It is important to note that, refractive index is inversely proportional to speed of light. This means that the material which will have low value of refractive index, there the speed of light will be highest.
4. Clearly, the material which will have high value of refractive index, there the speed of light will be lowest.
5. Therefore, in the question media A has the lowest value of refractive index, that is, 1.33, so in media A the speed of light will be the highest.
6. Therefore, the correct choice of the asked question is Option (a).
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