Velocity of Light-Concept of Refractive Index

Author:Narendra Kumar
10th CBSE
IMPORTANT

Velocity of Light-Concept of Refractive Index: Overview

This topic discusses the velocity of light and refractive index. The refraction of light is due to the change in the speed of light on going from one medium to another.

Important Questions on Velocity of Light-Concept of Refractive Index

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

How is the refractive index of a medium related to the speed of light? Obtain an expression for refractive index of a medium with respect to another in terms of speed of light in these two media? 
 

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

The refractive index of water is 4/3, what is the speed of light in water?

HARD
IMPORTANT

A pond depth of 24 cm is filled with water of refractive index 4/3. Calculate apparent depth of the tank when view normally.

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

How much time will light take to cross 4 mm thick glass pane if refractive index of glass is 32?

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

The following table gives the values of refractive indices of a few media:

S.No. 1 2 3 4 5
Medium Water Crown glass Rock salt Ruby Diamond
Refractive index 1.33 1.52 1.54 1.71 2.42

Use this table to give an example of (i) a medium pair so that light speeds up when it goes from one of these media to another (ii) a medium pair so that light slows down when it goes from one of these media to another.

EASY
IMPORTANT

The refractive index of diamond is 2.42. What is the meaning of this statement in relation to the speed of light?

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

How much time will light take to cross 2 mm thick glass pane if refractive index of glass is 32?

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

Light enters from air into diamond which has a refractive index of 2.42. Calculate the speed of light in diamond. The speed of light in air is 3.0×108 m s-1.

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

If refractive index of glass is 1.65, what is the speed of light in glass?