How Is the Speed of Light Calculated in Flint Glass?

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SUMMARY

The speed of light in flint glass can be calculated using the refractive index, which is 1.61 for this material. Given a wavelength of 625 nm in air, the wavelength in flint glass is determined to be 388 nm. The relationship between the speed of light in a medium and its refractive index is essential for this calculation, as the speed of light in a material is the speed of light in a vacuum divided by the refractive index.

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  • Understanding of the refractive index concept
  • Knowledge of light wavelength and its properties
  • Familiarity with basic optics equations
  • Ability to perform unit conversions in physics
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  • Study the relationship between speed of light, refractive index, and wavelength in different media
  • Learn about Snell's Law and its application in optics
  • Explore the properties of different types of glass and their refractive indices
  • Investigate the effects of angle of incidence on light behavior in various materials
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Homework Statement


A beam of light, wavelength 625 nm in air, is incident on a block of flint glass at an angle of 31.5.
Find:
A) the speed of light in the flint glass


Homework Equations


Don't know where to start


The Attempt at a Solution


refractive index of 1.61
625 / w = 1.61
w = 625 / 1.61 = 388 nm.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You know the index of refraction of the medium. This should be all you need to find the speed in the glass.

HINT: How does the speed of light in a material relate to the speed of light in a vacuum and the index of refraction?
 

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