Red light is used to investigate the critical angle of two materials P and Q - Scottish Highers Physics - Question 15 - 2015
Question 15
Red light is used to investigate the critical angle of two materials P and Q.
A student makes the following statements.
I Material P has a higher refractive index... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Red light is used to investigate the critical angle of two materials P and Q - Scottish Highers Physics - Question 15 - 2015
Step 1
I Material P has a higher refractive index than material Q.
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Answer
This statement is correct. If light refracts into material P from air, it would indicate that material P has a higher refractive index compared to material Q if the critical angles are to be compared.
Step 2
II The wavelength of red light is longer inside material P than inside material Q.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect. When light enters a medium with a higher refractive index, its wavelength decreases. Thus, the wavelength of red light in material P is shorter than in material Q.
Step 3
III The red light travels at the same speed inside materials P and Q.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect. The speed of light is affected by the medium it travels through. Since the refractive indices are different, the speeds of light in materials P and Q will also differ.
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