Numerical Problems on refraction of light
Numerical Problem 1
The refractive index of a material is 1.33. If the velocity of light in vacuum is
3 × 108m/s , find the velocity of light in the material.
𝑽𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒖𝒎
Solution : μ=
𝑽𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍
3 ×10 8
1.33 =
Velocity of light in the material
3 ×10 8
Velocity of light in the material = = 2.25 × 108m/s
1.33
Practice Problem 1 :
1. Refractive index of water is 4/3 .Calculate the speed of light in water.
Speed of light in vacuum is 3 × 108m/s. [2.25 × 108m/s]
2. The velocity of light in air is 3 × 108m/s and 2 × 108m/s. Find the refractive
index of glass. [1.5]
3. The velocity of light in air is 3 × 108m/s. Calculate the velocity of light in
diamond of refractive index 2.5. [1.2 × 108m/s]
Numerical Problem 2
The angle of incidence in air for a ray of light is 40◦.If the ray travels through
water of refractive index 4/3, find the angle of refraction.
a sin 𝑖
μw=
sin 𝑟
sin 𝑖 sin 40 3×0.6427
sin r = 𝑎 = =
𝑤𝜇 𝟒/𝟑 𝟒
sin r = 0.4820
r = sin-1 (0.4820) = 28.82◦
Practice Problem 2:
1. For a ray of light passing from air to glass the angle of incidence is 50◦, the
corresponding angle of refraction being 30◦. Find the refractive index of glass.
[1.5]
2. The angle of refraction in a glass block of refractive index 1.5 is 19◦.
Calculate the angle of incidence. [29.23◦ ]
3. A ray of light travelling in air strikes the glass surface at an angle of
incidence 60◦. Find the angle of refraction in glass if refractive index of glass is
3/2. Given sin 35◦ = 1/ 𝟑 [35◦]
Numerical Problem 3
The refractive index of water is 4/3 and of glass is 3/2. What is the refractive
index of glass with respect to water ?
a a
μw = 4/3 μ g=3/2
Let speed of light in air be c.
𝑐
Speed of light in water vw= 𝑎
𝑤𝜇
𝑐
Speed of light in glass vg = 𝑎
𝑔𝜇
Refractive index of glass with respect to water
w 𝑐 𝑐 3/2
μg= vw / vg = 𝑎 /
𝑎 or aμ g/ aμw = = 9/8 = 1.125
𝑤 𝜇 𝑔𝜇 4/3
Practice Problem 3
1. The refractive index of water with respect to air is 4/3. What is
the refractive index of air with respect to water. [0.75]
2.The refractive index of glass, when a ray of light travels from air
to glass is 1.5. Calculate the refractive index when light travels from
glass to air. [0.67]
