If light travels through a medium at a speed of 1.987 x 10^8 m/s, what is the index of refraction of the medium?
1.33
1.36
1.51
1.53
To find the index of refraction of the medium, we can use the formula:
Index of refraction (n) = speed of light in vacuum / speed of light in the medium.
Given that the speed of light in the medium is 1.987 x 10^8 m/s, we need to know the speed of light in vacuum, which is the maximum possible speed of light, commonly represented as c.
The value of the speed of light in vacuum is approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s.
Using these values, we can calculate the index of refraction:
n = c / v, where c = 3 x 10^8 m/s and v = 1.987 x 10^8 m/s.
n = (3 x 10^8 m/s) / (1.987 x 10^8 m/s)
n ≈ 1.511
Therefore, the index of refraction of the medium is approximately 1.511.
Based on the provided answer choices, the closest option is 1.51.