Question

As light slows down, it bends or refracts. The index of refraction helps predict the amount of bending. How are the speed of light and the index of refraction related? A) The speed of light is a constant in all materials. B) The index is proportional to the speed of light in the medium. C) The index is inversely proportional to the speed of light in the medium. D) The index is proportional to the square of the speed of light in the

Answer 1

When light changes the medium it travels through it also changes speed. The speed in medium is given by formula:
$v_{medium} = \frac{c}{ n_{medium} }$

Rearranging formual gives:
$n_{medium} = \frac{c}{ v_{medium} }$

From this formula we can make conclusion that index of refraction is inversely proportional to speed of light in medium. This means that greater speed gives smaller index of refraction.

Answer 2

Answer: The answer is C for people on USATestprep