I suggest that you look up Snell's law.willydavidjr said:Let n denote the refractive index of water. What fraction of the speed of the light in air is the speed of underwater light? Let [tex]\theta[/tex] denote the critical angle for light going from water to air. Find the value of sin [tex]\theta[/tex].
The refractive index of water is a measure of how much light is bent or refracted when it passes through water. It is a dimensionless quantity and is typically denoted by the symbol "n".
The refractive index of water can be measured using a refractometer, which is a scientific instrument that measures the bending of light as it passes through a liquid. The refractive index can also be calculated using the following formula: n = c/v, where c is the speed of light in a vacuum and v is the speed of light in water.
The refractive index of water can be affected by temperature, pressure, and the presence of impurities. As the temperature of water increases, its refractive index decreases. Similarly, as the pressure increases, the refractive index also increases. Impurities in water can also alter its refractive index, as they can change the density and composition of the water.
The refractive index of water is important in various scientific fields, such as optics, biology, and chemistry. It is used to calculate the speed of light in water, which is necessary for understanding the behavior of light in different mediums. In biology, the refractive index of water is used to determine the composition and concentration of various substances in a solution. In chemistry, it is used to predict the solubility of different compounds in water.
The refractive index of water is higher than most other liquids, including alcohol, oil, and vinegar. This means that light will bend more when passing through water compared to these other liquids. However, the refractive index of water is lower than that of glass and diamond, making it less optically dense than these substances.