A monochromatic ray of light travels successively from medium A to medium B and then…

PHYSICS · Subjective · CBSE · Physics · Light — Reflection and Refraction · Light — Reflection and Refraction

Problem

A monochromatic ray of light travels successively from medium A to medium B and then to medium C. (a) Define the term "relative refractive index" of two media. (b) If the refractive indices of the three media with respect to vacuum are nAn_A, nBn_B and nCn_C, prove that nAB nBC=nACn_{AB}\,n_{BC}=n_{AC}, where nABn_{AB} is the refractive index of medium B with respect to A, nBCn_{BC} of C with respect to B, and nACn_{AC} of C with respect to A. (c) Taking nA=1.00n_A=1.00, nB=1.60n_B=1.60 and nC=1.33n_C=1.33, calculate nACn_{AC} from the data and check whether it satisfies the relation derived in part (b).

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