Ranking materials in order of their refraction index.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on ranking materials based on their refractive indices, specifically addressing a homework problem involving three mediums labeled A, B, and C. The user initially concluded that the order of refractive indices is nC > nA > nB, based on the observed angles of incidence and refraction. However, the correct order is nA > nC > nB, which indicates that the user misunderstood the relationship between angle and refractive index. The key takeaway is that a smaller angle of refraction corresponds to a higher refractive index.

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Hi everyone

I'm having a bit of trouble solving this question. If anyone can help that would be awesome

Homework Statement
Rank the materials in the diagram according to their refractive indices from greatest to smallest (see attachment)

The attempt at a solution
The greater the refractive index of a material, the slower the wave will travel and therefore the more it will bend towards the normal.

From the diagram, the angle of refraction in medium C is smaller than the angle of incidence in medium A so nC > nA

The angle of incidence in medium C is smaller than the angle of refraction in medium B so nC > nB

the wave seems to travel a lot faster in medium B than A as it bends further away from the normal so nA>nB

So nC > nA > nB

But the answer is nA > nC > nB

Why is nA > nC??
 

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  • refractive index.jpg
    refractive index.jpg
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Both the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction are measured from the normal of the surface.

ehild
 

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