Physics
A light ray passes from water to (i) air, and (ii) glass. In each case, state how does the speed of light change?
Refraction Plane Surfaces
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Answer
As we know,
Refractive index of air, μa = 1.0003
Refractive index of water, μw = 1.33
Refractive index of ordinary glass, μg = 1.5
With the help of the above values, we can see that μg > μw > μa
When a ray of light gets refracted from a rarer to a denser medium, the speed of light decreases, while if it is refracted from a denser to a rarer medium, the speed of light increases.
So on the basis of above information, we can say that —
(i) When a ray of light passes from water to air, its speed increases as it is moving from a denser to a rarer medium.
(ii) When a ray of light passes from water to glass, its speed decreases as it is moving from a rarer to a denser medium.
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