Question
If the index of refraction for acrylic is 1.49, how fast is light moving as it passes through the acrylic wedge?
Solution
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VincentMaster · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
The speed of light in a medium is related to the index of refraction of that medium. The relationship is:<br /><br />n = c / v<br /><br />Where:<br /><br />* n is the index of refraction<br />* c is the speed of light in a vacuum (approximately 3.00 x 10⁸ m/s)<br />* v is the speed of light in the medium<br /><br />We are given n = 1.49 for acrylic. We want to find v. Rearranging the formula:<br /><br />v = c / n<br /><br />v = (3.00 x 10⁸ m/s) / 1.49<br /><br />v ≈ 2.01 x 10⁸ m/s<br /><br />Therefore, light travels at approximately $\boxed{2.01 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}}$ through the acrylic wedge.<br />
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