Refractive Indices Medium Refractive Index Air 1.00 Alcohol 1.36 Sugar solution 1.49 Glass 1.70 Diamond 2.42 Using the provided data table as a guide, which of the following statements BEST explains how different media affect the speed of light? A The speed of light increases as it passes into a solid because the molecules are closer together and refraction allows it to bend and pass through faster.   B The speed of light increases as it passes into a liquid because the molecules are closer together and refraction allows the light to pass through faster.   C The speed of light travels fastest in air because the molecules are the farthest apart and there is little to no refraction.   D The speed of light travels fastest in solids because the molecules are closest together and there is refraction.

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Question 11

Refractive Indices

Medium

Refractive Index

Air

1.00

Alcohol

1.36

Sugar solution

1.49

Glass

1.70

Diamond

2.42

Using the provided data table as a guide, which of the following statements BEST explains how different media affect the speed of light?

A

The speed of light increases as it passes into a solid because the molecules are closer together and refraction allows it to bend and pass through faster.

 

B

The speed of light increases as it passes into a liquid because the molecules are closer together and refraction allows the light to pass through faster.

 

C

The speed of light travels fastest in air because the molecules are the farthest apart and there is little to no refraction.

 

D

The speed of light travels fastest in solids because the molecules are closest together and there is refraction. 

 

 

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