Chapter 23, Problem 103A

To determine

Theindex of refraction of a special type of glass.

Answer to Problem 103A

The refractive index of the given piece of glass is $1.71$

Explanation of Solution

Given:

The speed of light in a piece of glass is $1.75\times {10}^8\text{ m/s}$ .

Formula used:

The ratio of speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in any given medium gives the refractive index of that medium, which can be expressed mathematically as

  $n=\frac{c}{v}$.......(1)

Calculation:

The speed of light in the glass is $1.75\times {10}^8\text{ m/s}$ and the velocity of light is $3\times {10}^8\text{ m/s}$ .

Substituting these parameters in (1), the refractive index of glass is obtained as,

  $\begin{array}{c}n=\frac{3\times {10}^8}{1.75\times {10}^8}\\ =1.714\end{array}$

Conclusion:

Therefore, the refractive index of the special type of glass is 1.714.