Chapter 13, Problem 37R

To determine

To compare: The speed of light in plastic and in liquid.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Laws of refraction is applicable for light rays which travel from one medium to the another and follow the Snell’s law. According to the Snell’s law, the ratio of sin of incident angle for one medium to the sin of refraction angle for another medium will be equal to the ratio of speed of light in one medium to the speed of light in another medium.

It is given that when light rays in liquid passes through the plastic lens they do not refract, which is only possible if light rays’ incident on the lens normally or liquid and lens of plastic have same media.

In the case of no refraction, the angle of incident would be equal to the angle of refraction.

Therefore, according to the Snell’s law, speed of light in plastic lens and liquid would be same.

Conclusion:

Hence, the speed of light in the liquid and in the plastic would be same.