Identify the option that arranges the speed of light in descending order in different mediums.
- AWater > Air > Glass > Diamond
- BGlass > Water > Air > Diamond
- CDiamond > Water > Air > Glass
- DAir > Water > Glass > Diamond
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
* The speed of light in a medium is inversely proportional to its refractive index (n), defined as v=
n
c
, where c is the speed of light in vacuum.
Refractive indices of given mediums are approximately:
Air: 1.0003≈1
Water: 1.33
Glass: 1.5
Diamond: 2.42
A higher refractive index means a lower speed of light. Therefore, the descending order of the speed of light is:
Air>Water>Glass>Diamond
n
c
, where c is the speed of light in vacuum.
Refractive indices of given mediums are approximately:
Air: 1.0003≈1
Water: 1.33
Glass: 1.5
Diamond: 2.42
A higher refractive index means a lower speed of light. Therefore, the descending order of the speed of light is:
Air>Water>Glass>Diamond