Unit: Waves
Year: 1990 Question#: 51
Question: Which optical medium would have the smallest critical angle (
c) in the situation shown in the diagram?
(1 ) Lucite
(2 ) water
(3 ) Canada balsam
(4 ) diamond
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: Nathaniel W
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Answer 1
Lucite
INCORRECT
Incorrect, because Lucite has a lower index of absolute refraction than diamond. Try using
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Answer 2
Water
INCORRECT
Incorrect, because diamond has a higher index of absolute refraction. try using
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Canada balsam
INCORRECT
Incorrect, because diamond has a higher index of absolute refraction than Canada balsam. Try using
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diamond
CORRECT
Correct, because in the formula
, you need the substance with the highest index of absolute refraction. Out of the
choices given, diamond has the highest index of refraction which means light slows
down the most in it.
return to top What's this question really asking?
Which substance has the highest index of absolute refraction? return to top
