Refraction of light-apparent speed

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the apparent speed of an object moving in a liquid medium as observed from a medium with a different index of refraction. The index of refraction for air is 1.2, while for the liquid medium it is 1.47. The user correctly applies the formula v = c/n, resulting in an apparent speed of 13.6 m/s for the object moving at 20 m/s in the liquid. Further clarification is provided regarding the distinction between the velocity of light in the medium and the object's speed.

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  • Understanding of the index of refraction
  • Familiarity with the formula v = c/n
  • Basic knowledge of light propagation in different media
  • Concept of apparent depth in optics
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Homework Statement


Imagine two media: one is thick air and the other is a liquid medium of some kind. The index of refraction of the air medium is 1.2
and that of the liquid medium is 1.47.
You are standing in the air medium looking straight into the liquid medium. You observe an object inside the liquid medium moving directly towards you. The speed of the object is 20 m/s. Assume the glass wall is very thin and that it doesn't affect the results. What is the apparent speed of the object as seen by you?

Homework Equations



I used c = v/n so v = c/n

The Attempt at a Solution



v=c/n= 20 [m/s] divided by 1.47 = 13.6 [m/s]

Can someone please help verify this is correct. Or am I doing this all wrong? Thank you very much for helping. I really appreciate it.
 
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v=c/n= 20 [m/s] divided by 1.47 = 13.6 [m/s] In this formula v is the velocity of the light in the medium, not the object. If T and T' are the real and apparent depths in the liquid then you can wright 1.47/T = 1.2/T'. After 1 second real depth becomes T - 20 m and apparent depth will be T' - X. Find X
 

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