Question

An electromagnetic wave of wavelength

Answer 1

Answer:

$4.01\cdot 10^{-7} m$

Explanation:

When an electromagnetic wave passes through the interface between two mediums, it undergoes refraction, which means that it bents and its speed and its wavelength change.

In particular, the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave in a certain medium is related to the index of refraction of the medium by:

$\lambda=\frac{\lambda_0}{n}$

where

$\lambda_0$ is the wavelength in a vacuum (air is a good approximation of vacuum)

n is the refractive index of the medium

In this problem:

$\lambda_0 = 5.89\cdot 10^{-7} m$ is the original wavelength of the wave

n = 1.47 is the index of refraction of corn oil

Therefore, the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave in corn oil is:

$\lambda=\frac{5.89\cdot 10^{-7}}{1.47}=4.01\cdot 10^{-7} m$