The diagram shows a transparent tank, with thin plastic sides, that can be used to determine the refractive index of a transparent liquid.
A rectangle of opaque card is stuck on the side of the tank containing the liquid. A light source is placed in front of the tank and the width s of the shadow of the card, which is formed on the back of the tank, is measured. The width t of the card and the width w of the tank are also measured.
The angle of incidence of the light as it enters the tank is 7.2°
Show that the refractive index of the liquid is about 1.4
w = 35.0 cm
t = 4.0 cm
s = 10.2 cm
Determine the speed of light in the liquid.
Speed of light = ....................................................................
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