Given that water (n=1.33) is less optically dense than kerosene (n=1.44) and turpentine (n=1.47), light travels fastest in which of these three?
Question
Given that water (n=1.33) is less optically dense than kerosene (n=1.44) and turpentine (n=1.47), light travels fastest in which of these three?
Kerosene
Turpentine
Water
All three have identical speeds
Answer
Water
Detailed Explanation
Since refractive index is inversely related to speed (v = c/n), the medium with the lowest refractive index among these three (water, n=1.33) allows light to travel fastest.