The speed of yellow sodium light (wavelength, 589 nanometers) in a certain liquid is measured to be

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The speed of yellow sodium light (wavelength, 589 nanometers) in a certain liquid is measured to be 1.92 × 108 meters per second. What is the index of refraction of this liquid, with respect to air, for sodium light? The speed of light in air is approximately 2.998 × 108 meters per second.


Light sound, and other waves travel at different speeds, depending on the media (air, water, wood, and so on) through which they pass. Suppose that light travels from a point A in one medium, where its speed is v1, to a point B in another medium, where its speed is v2. Refer to the figure, where the angle θ1 is called the angle of incidence and the angle θ2 is the angle of refraction. Snell's Law, which can be proved using calculus, states that


The vl/v2 is called the index of refraction. Some values are given in the table shown to the right.

Angle of incidence A. Incident ray, speed v, Refracted ray, speed v2

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Precalculus

ISBN: 978-0321716835

9th edition

Authors: Michael Sullivan

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