Question

use the accompanying table to answer the following question(s).
in which of the following substances is the speed of light greatest?
diamond
zircon
lucite tm
flint glass
the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another is called:
refraction
diffraction
dispersion
reflection

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the formula for the speed of light in a medium

The speed of light in a medium \(v=\frac{c}{n}\), where \(c\) is the speed of light in vacuum (\(c = 3\times10^{8}\space m/s\)) and \(n\) is the refractive index of the medium.

Step2: Analyze the relationship between refractive index and speed of light

Since \(v=\frac{c}{n}\), the smaller the refractive index \(n\), the larger the speed of light \(v\) in the medium.

• For diamond \(n = 2.42\), for zircon \(n=1.92\), for Lucite TM \(n = 1.51\), for flint glass \(n=1.65\). Among these, Lucite TM has the smallest refractive index.

Step3: Define the terms

• Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.
• Diffraction is the bending of light around obstacles.
• Dispersion is the separation of light into its component colors (spectrum) due to different refractive indices for different wavelengths.
• Reflection is the bouncing back of light when it hits a surface.

So, the speed of light is greatest in Lucite TM and the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another is called refraction.

Answer:

• First question: Lucite TM
• Second question: Refraction