A physics student is preparing a written report on the concept of refraction and its quantitative description.
Respond to each of the following prompts in a clear, well-organized paragraph or set of calculations as indicated.
(a) Describe what the index of refraction of a material represents in terms of electromagnetic wave propagation.
(b) Air has an index of approximately 1.000, while typical window glass has an index of about 1.50. Explain qualitatively how the speed of light changes as it travels from air into the glass and relate this to the numerical values of the indices.
(c) A liquid allows light to propagate at 2.25×108m/s. When a light beam enters this liquid from air, will the beam bend toward the normal or away from the normal? Support your answer with reasoning that refers to both speed and index of refraction.