The speed of light in medium X is

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

Problem

The speed of light in medium X is 2.25×108 m s−12.25\times10^{8}\,\text{m s}^{-1}, while in medium Y it is 1.80×108 m s−11.80\times10^{8}\,\text{m s}^{-1}. The speed of light in vacuum is 3.0×108 m s−13.0\times10^{8}\,\text{m s}^{-1}. (i) Calculate the absolute refractive index of each medium. (ii) Determine the refractive index of medium Y with respect to medium X. (iii) Which of the two media is optically denser? Justify your answer. (iv) By what factor is the speed of light reduced when it passes from medium X into medium Y?

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