Calculating speed of light in substance

In summary, we can use Snell's law to find the speed of light in a transparent substance when given the angle of incidence and angle of refraction. The index of refraction of the medium can be used to calculate the speed of light, with the index of water being known at approximately 1.3.
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dev-hud
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A light ray initially in water enters a transparent substance at an angle of incidence of 37 degrees, and the transmitted ray is refracted at an an angle of 25 degrees. calculate the speed of light in the transparent substace.

I have my diagram drawn out, however i do not see how to solve for V (speed) using angles and what i have. I do not know which equations to use, very confuzed.
 
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  • #2
Use Snell's law. You'll find the index of refraction of the medium and then the speed of light in the medium (see definition of index of refraction).
The index of water is supposed to be known (about 1.3)
 

1. What is the speed of light in a substance?

The speed of light in a substance is the speed at which light travels through that particular material. It is different from the speed of light in a vacuum, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.

2. How is the speed of light in a substance calculated?

The speed of light in a substance can be calculated by dividing the speed of light in a vacuum by the refractive index of the substance. The refractive index is a measure of how much the substance slows down the speed of light compared to a vacuum.

3. What factors influence the speed of light in a substance?

The speed of light in a substance is influenced by the density and composition of the substance, as well as its temperature and the wavelength of the light passing through it. Changes in these factors can cause variations in the speed of light in a substance.

4. Does the speed of light in a substance change with different types of light?

Yes, the speed of light in a substance can vary depending on the wavelength of the light. This is because different wavelengths of light interact with the particles in the substance in different ways, resulting in different speeds.

5. Why is it important to calculate the speed of light in a substance?

Calculating the speed of light in a substance is important for understanding how light behaves in different materials. It is also crucial for various applications such as fiber optics, microscopy, and telecommunications, where the speed of light in a substance affects the transmission and manipulation of light.

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