Refraction and Lenses: Audio Guided Solution

Ray Optics: Refraction and Lenses

Light travels through a vacuum at a speed of 2.998 x 10⁸ m/s. Determine the speed of light in the following media:

a. water (n = 1.333)
b. crown glass (n = 1.52)
c. cubic zirconia (n = 2.16)
d. diamond (n = 2.419)

a. 2.249 x 10⁸ m/s
b. 1.97 x 10⁸ m/s
c. 1.39 x 10⁸ m/s
d. 1.239 x 10⁸ m/s

Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
Identify the known and unknown quantities and record them in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., d_o = 24,8 cm; d_i = 16.7 cm; f = ???.
Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

Get more information on the topic of Refraction and Lenses at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

Return to Overview

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32