MCAT Physics Question 117: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 117

12. Monochromatic red light is allowed to pass between two different media. If the incident angle in medium 1 is 30° and the incident angle in medium 2 is 45°, what is the relationship between the speed of the light in medium 2 compared to that in medium 1?

  • A.
  • B.
  • C.
  • D.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

First, the color of the light is irrelevant here; the ratio would be the same even if the specific color were not mentioned. Second, recall Snell's Law: n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2. Although we don't know the value of n for either medium, you do know the simple relationship

. Replacing n in Snell's law, and canceling out c from both sides, we get:

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