Question

Solve the following example.
Speed in first medium, v₁ = 3 × 10⁸ m/s 
Speed in second medium, v₂ = 2 × 10⁸ m/s
Then ₂n₁ = ?

Answer 1

Given: Speed of light in first medium (v₁) = 3 × 10⁸ m/s,

Speed of light in second medium (v₂) = 2 × 10⁸ m/s

To find: Refractive index of the second medium with respect to the first medium (₂n₁)

Formula: ₂n₁ = `"v"_1/"v"_2`

Calculation: From formula,

₂n₁ = `(3 xx 10^8)/(2 xx 10^8)` = 1.5

Refractive index of the second medium with respect to the first medium (₂n₁) is 1.5.