Question

What is the index of refraction of a medium where the light travels in with a speed of `2.5 times 10^8` `m``/``s`?

Answer 1

`"n = 1.2"`

Explanation:

The index of refraction is unit less number describing how light rays will travel from one medium to the next. It is useful when applying Snell's law.

`color(white)(aaaaaaaa)`

To calculate the index of refraction, we use

`color(white)(-------)n=(c)/(v)`

Where
`"n = index of refraction"`

`"c = speed of light in a vacuum" (3xx10^8 m/s)`

`"v = speed of light in the other medium" (m/s)`

`color(white)(---)`

Plug and chug

`n=(c)/(v)`

`n = (3xx10^8 cancel(m/s))/(2.5xx10^8 cancel(m/s))`

`n = 1.2`

`color(blue)("Answer: n = 1.2"`