Chapter 18.1, Problem 9SSC

To determine

The speed of light in chloroform.

Answer to Problem 9SSC

  $1.98\times {10}^8\text{m/s}$

Explanation of Solution

Given:

The index of refraction of chloroform, $n=1.51$

Formula used:

The index of refraction is given by,

  $n=\frac{c}{v}$

Where,

  $\begin{array}{l}c=\text{ speed of light in vacuum}=3\times {10}^8\text{m/s}\\ v=\text{ speed of light in the medium}\end{array}$

Calculation:

Using the above formula, the speed of light in chloroform will be,

  $\begin{array}{c}n=\frac{c}{v}\\ 1.51=\frac{3\times {10}^8}{v}\\ v=1.98\times {10}^8\text{m/s}\end{array}$

Conclusion:

Hence, the speed of light in chloroform is $1.98\times {10}^8\text{m/s}$ .