Calculating Light Travel Time in Glycerine: A Homework Guide

[rhxoehwhfh]

Determine the time it takes for light to travel 54 cm through glycerine in an aquarium.


does anybody know how make an equation for this??... because I just have no clue with this one...

 

[Dick]

You need to find the speed of light moving through glycerine. This is related to the index of refraction of glycerine. Look it up.

 

[rhxoehwhfh]

it is 1.473 so than is it 10 power of 8 * 1.473?

 

[Dick]

If n is the index of refraction, c is the speed of light in a vacuum and v is the velocity of light in the medium, then v=c/n.

 

[rhxoehwhfh]

oh so this is it right? -> 2.99792 x 10 power 8 / 1.473 = v

 

[Dick]

Yes. It would be even more right if you put units on c, like m/sec. So how long to travel 54cm?

 

[rhxoehwhfh]

ok thankyou verymuch sir ^^