Light TRAVELLING/ANGLES OF INCIDENCESEECT

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two problems related to the behavior of light as it travels through different media, specifically glycerine and air. The first problem involves calculating the time it takes for light to travel a certain distance in glycerine, while the second problem focuses on determining the wavelength of red light as it transitions from air into a liquid at specified angles of incidence and reflection.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the speed of light, refractive index, and wavelength in different media. There are attempts to apply Snell's law and discuss the implications of the refractive index on light speed and wavelength. Questions arise regarding the appropriate formulas to use and how to approach the problems without clear initial answers.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints and guidance, suggesting the use of the refractive index to determine light speed in glycerine and the application of Snell's law to find the index of refraction for the liquid. However, there is still uncertainty regarding the specific formulas needed to relate wavelength and refractive index.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion about the wavelength calculation and the lack of clarity on where to start with the problems. There is an acknowledgment of the need for further information or resources to assist in understanding the concepts involved.

strawberry7
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1. Determine the time it takes for light to travel 54 cm through glycerine in an aquarium.
2. Red light travels from air into liquid at an angle of incidence of 390 and an angle of reflection of 170. Calculate the wavelength of the red light in the liquid if its wavelength in air is 750 nm.


I know a few formula's that may apply:
Ni * Sin(Ai) = Nr * Sin(Ar),

where:
Ni is the refractive index of the medium the light is leaving,
Ai is the incident angle between the light ray and the normal to the meduim to medium interface,
Nr is the refractive index of the medium the light is entering,
Ar is the refractive angle between the light ray and the normal to the meduim to mediuminterface

OR

sin-1 (nr/ni) = invsine (nr/ni)


But the problem is i think i am wrong. I can't find anything on wavelength for the second question. And am really confused. I know i don't have an attempted answer but that is because i have NO clue where to start. So i am not asking for an answer or anything, just a push in the right direcction of something, like which formula to use? or a website i can find information to help me with these questions..i am VERY lost
 
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Some hints:
strawberry7 said:
1. Determine the time it takes for light to travel 54 cm through glycerine in an aquarium.
How fast does light travel through glycerine? (How does index of refraction relate to speed?)
2. Red light travels from air into liquid at an angle of incidence of 390 and an angle of reflection of 170. Calculate the wavelength of the red light in the liquid if its wavelength in air is 750 nm.
Snell's law, which you quoted, should allow you to calculate the index of refraction of the liquid. (How does wavelength depend on speed and thus index of refraction as light goes from one medium to another?)

Read this: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geoopt/refr.html"
 
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The index of refraction for glycerine is 1.473, and the larger it is, the slower light travells. but i don't know which formula to use...

Once i found the index of refraction, which formula do i use that has wavelength?
 
How does the speed of light in a medium relate to the refractive index of the medium?
 

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