A laser beam is directed perpendicularly into three transparent solid samples labeled A, B

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Waves · Waves

Problem

A laser beam is directed perpendicularly into three transparent solid samples labeled A, B, and C. The measured speeds of light in the samples are listed below. • Sample A :

2.25\times10^{8}\,\text{m}\!/\!\text{s}

• Sample B :

1.90\times10^{8}\,\text{m}\!/\!\text{s}

• Sample C :

2.70\times10^{8}\,\text{m}\!/\!\text{s}

Assume the speed of light in vacuum is

c=3.00\times10^{8}\,\text{m}\!/\!\text{s}

. Answer the following questions, showing all reasoning and including appropriate units. (a) Calculate the index of refraction for each sample. (b) Rank the samples from lowest to highest index of refraction. Briefly justify your ranking. (c) A laser in air strikes each sample’s surface at an angle of

45^{\circ}

with respect to the normal. For which sample will the angle of the refracted beam inside the sample be smallest? Explain your reasoning.

Related theory

Browse the problem library