Unit: Waves
Year: 1993 Question#: 45
Question: The diagram below shows a ray of light passing from medium X into air.
What is the abdolute index of refraction of medium X?
(1 ) 0.50
(2 ) 2.0
(3 ) 1.7
(4 ) 0.58
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Gabrielle
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Answer 1
0.50
INCORRECT
If you didn't know the formula for the absolute index of refraction and divided 30 by 60 you would have gotten .50. This is wrong. return to top
Answer 2
2.0
INCORRECT
If you didn't know the formula for the absolute index of refraction and divided 60 by 30 you would have gotten 2.0 . This is wrong. return to top
Answer 3
1.7
CORRECT
To find the absolute index of refration use the formula:
n1*sin
1 = n2*sin
2 (n=
index of absolute refraction)n1= 1 because it is in air
1*sin 60 = n2 * sin 30
n2 = 1.7
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Answer 4
0.58
INCORRECT
If you used the correct equation but divided Sin
2 / Sin
1
or switched Sin
1 and sin
2 you would have gotten .58 return to top
What's this question really asking?
What is the ratio of the speed of light in medium x compared to the speed of light in air? It is trying to find out if you know how to use Snell's law return to top
