An incandescent light bulb is shown through a glass prism. The certain wavlength of the light is then directed into a glass cuvette containing an unknown concentration of protein. Commonly, this process is called spectroscopy and is used to determine the concentrations of DNA, RNA, and proteins in solutions. The indices of reflection of air, glass, and the solution are 1, 1.5, and 1.3, respectively.
The velocity of the light __________ when it moves from air to glass.
Possible Answers:
Correct answer:
decreases
Explanation:
This question asks us to consider the relationship between velocity and index of refraction of a medium. If we think back to the definition of index of refraction, we know that it is defined by the ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum and the velocity of light in some other medium.
n is the index of refraction, c is the speed of light in a vacuum, and v is the speed of light in the new medium.
We can see that n and v are inversely proportional, meaning that the higher the n, the lower the velocity. As the light moved from air (n =1) to glass (n = 1.5), the n increased, and thus the velocity must decrease because the speed of light in a vacuum is constant.
An incandescent light bulb is shown through a glass prism. The certain wavlength of the light is then directed into a glass cuvette containing an unknown concentration of protein. Commonly, this process is called spectroscopy and is used to determine the concentrations of DNA, RNA, and proteins in solutions. The indices of reflection of air, glass, and the solution are 1, 1.5, and 1.3, respectively.
As light exits from the wall of the cuvette into the solution, its wavelength __________.
Possible Answers:
Correct answer:
increases
Explanation:
This question asks us to find the relationship between the wavelength and index of refraction. We will need to know two equations to compute the relationship between the two.
First, we need to relate velocity and index of refraction. The definition of index of refraction allows us to relate the two.
We also know the relationship between velocity and wavelength.
We can now set these formulas equal to each other to find the relationship between wavelength and index of refraction.
We can see that
How long will it take a photon to travel
Possible Answers:
Correct answer:
Explanation:
The index of refraction is equal to the speed of light in a medium divided by the speed of light in a vacuum.
We can find the time to travel a given distance by manipulating this equation and combining it with the equation for rate:
Plug in the given values and solve for the velocity in the medium.
Now we can return to the rate equation and solve for the time to travel
We can recognize that the answer can be simplified by converting to nanoseconds.
The refractive index of medium A is 1.2, while that of medium B is 1.36. Through which medium does light travel faster and at what speed does it travel?
The speed of light is
Possible Answers:
Medium A at velocity
Medium B at velocity
Medium A at velocity
The speed of light will be
Medium B at velocity
Correct answer:
Medium A at velocity
Explanation:
The refractive index of a medium (n) is equal to the speed of light (c) divided by the velocity of light through the medium (v).
The lower the refractive index, the faster the velocity of light. Medium A has the smaller refractive index. Light will travel faster through medium A at a velocity equal to the speed of light divided by the refractive index.
Which of the following does not take place when a light wave travels from a medium with a high index of refraction into one with a lower index of refraction?
Possible Answers:
The light ray bends away from the normal line
The refracted light remains in phase with the incident wave
Correct answer:
Frequency increases
Explanation:
As the wave travels into the less dense medium, it speeds up, bending away from the normal line. The index of refraction tells the ratio of the velocity in a vacuum in relation to the velocity the medium; thus, the velocity will be greater in a medium with a lower index of refraction.
Frequency remains the same regardless of medium, however, since the velocity changes, the wavelength must accommodate this change.
If velocity increases and frequency remains constant, wavelength must also increase.
Finally, a phase shift only occurs when a light ray reflects from the surface of a more dense medium.
What is the index of refraction for a material in which light travels at
Possible Answers:
Such a material does not exist, since the speed of light is constant
Correct answer:
Explanation:
Relevant equations:
To find index of refraction, divide the speed of light in a vacuum by the speed of light in the material:
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