Analysis Exercise - Limits on the Index of Refraction

If nothing can travel faster than c, what limits does that place on n?

(Close each Answer box before continuing to the next question)

In these exercises, you will need to use the indices of refraction from the table provided earlier in this tutorial.

1.: How fast does light travel in water?
2.: A scientist examining a clear solid determines that light travels at 1.96 x 10⁸m/s through the material.

Should that scientist take the solid to a jeweler, or should she grind it up on her dinner?

Need more practice? Go to the practice problems for this section.