An experiment is performed to determine the speed of light in a block of an unknown…

PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Geometric Optics · Geometric Optics

Problem

An experiment is performed to determine the speed of light in a block of an unknown transparent material. A light ray in air strikes the flat surface of the block at an angle of 45.0∘±0.5∘45.0^\circ \pm 0.5^\circ to the normal. Inside the block the ray travels at an angle of 28.0∘±0.5∘28.0^\circ \pm 0.5^\circ to the normal. Which of the following values for the speed of light in the material is most strongly supported by these measurements? (a) 2.9×108 m/s2.9\times10^{8}\,\text{m/s} (b) 1.5×108 m/s1.5\times10^{8}\,\text{m/s} (c) 2.0×108 m/s2.0\times10^{8}\,\text{m/s} (d) 2.3×108 m/s2.3\times10^{8}\,\text{m/s}

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