The refractive index of a medium $X$ with respect to medium $Y$ is $\dfrac{2}{3}$. and the refractive index of medium $Y$ with respect to medium $Z$ is $\dfrac{4}{3}$. Find the refractive index of the medium $'z'$ with respect to medium $'x'$. Calculate the speed of light in medium $'y'$, when the speed of light in medium $'x'$ is $3 \times 10^8 m/s$.
Answer
300.9k+ views
Hint: Refractive index is the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in denser medium.
It is denoted as;
speed of light in vacuum/ speed of light in denser medium.
Using the above relations we will solve the given problem
Complete step by step solution:
Let us first describe the Refractive index in more detail and then we will do the calculation part of the problem.
Refractive index: It is a measure of the bending of ray of light when passing from one medium to another medium. Refractive index depends upon the frequency of light passing through, higher the frequency higher is the refractive index.
Now we will do the calculation part of the problem;
We have refractive index of X with Y and Y with Z respectively;
${N_{XY}} = \dfrac{2}{3},{N_{YZ}} = \dfrac{4}{3}$
We have to find the value of refractive index of medium Z with X
$ \Rightarrow {N_{ZX}} = \dfrac{{{N_{ZY}}}}{{{N_{YX}}}}$
$ \Rightarrow {N_{ZX}} = \dfrac{{\dfrac{1}{{\dfrac{4}{3}}}}}{{\dfrac{1}{{\dfrac{2}{3}}}}}$ (We have substituted the value of reciprocal of both the refractive indexes)
$ \Rightarrow {N_{ZX}} = \dfrac{1}{2}$ (refractive index of medium Z with respect to X)
Second part of the question is;
As per the definition of refractive index we can write;
${N_{YX}} = \dfrac{3}{2}$ or $\dfrac{3}{2} = \dfrac{{{V_y}}}{{3 \times {{10}^8}}}$ (${V_y}$ is the speed of light in medium Y, speed of light in medium X is given)
$ \Rightarrow {V_y} = \dfrac{{3 \times {{10}^8} \times 2}}{3}$
$ \Rightarrow {V_y} = 2 \times {10^8}$ m/s
Note: Refractive index is an important property of any optical instrument, refractive index determines the focusing power of the lens, it determines the dispersive power of the prism, the reflectivity of the lens coatings, and the light guiding nature of optical fiber, refractive index is used to find the purity of a particular substance.
It is denoted as;
speed of light in vacuum/ speed of light in denser medium.
Using the above relations we will solve the given problem
Complete step by step solution:
Let us first describe the Refractive index in more detail and then we will do the calculation part of the problem.
Refractive index: It is a measure of the bending of ray of light when passing from one medium to another medium. Refractive index depends upon the frequency of light passing through, higher the frequency higher is the refractive index.
Now we will do the calculation part of the problem;
We have refractive index of X with Y and Y with Z respectively;
${N_{XY}} = \dfrac{2}{3},{N_{YZ}} = \dfrac{4}{3}$
We have to find the value of refractive index of medium Z with X
$ \Rightarrow {N_{ZX}} = \dfrac{{{N_{ZY}}}}{{{N_{YX}}}}$
$ \Rightarrow {N_{ZX}} = \dfrac{{\dfrac{1}{{\dfrac{4}{3}}}}}{{\dfrac{1}{{\dfrac{2}{3}}}}}$ (We have substituted the value of reciprocal of both the refractive indexes)
$ \Rightarrow {N_{ZX}} = \dfrac{1}{2}$ (refractive index of medium Z with respect to X)
Second part of the question is;
As per the definition of refractive index we can write;
${N_{YX}} = \dfrac{3}{2}$ or $\dfrac{3}{2} = \dfrac{{{V_y}}}{{3 \times {{10}^8}}}$ (${V_y}$ is the speed of light in medium Y, speed of light in medium X is given)
$ \Rightarrow {V_y} = \dfrac{{3 \times {{10}^8} \times 2}}{3}$
$ \Rightarrow {V_y} = 2 \times {10^8}$ m/s
Note: Refractive index is an important property of any optical instrument, refractive index determines the focusing power of the lens, it determines the dispersive power of the prism, the reflectivity of the lens coatings, and the light guiding nature of optical fiber, refractive index is used to find the purity of a particular substance.
Recently Updated Pages
If the magnetizing field on a ferromagnetic material class 12 physics JEE_Main

A point charge is placed at the corner of a cube The class 12 physics JEE_Main

What changes occur if the monochromatic light used class 12 physics JEE_Main

The unit of specific conductance is A Ohm B Ohmmetre class 12 physics JEE_Main

Which lens is used in magnifying glass A Concave lens class 12 physics JEE_Main

Sir C V Raman won the Nobel Prize in which year A 1928 class 12 physics JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Understanding Uniform Acceleration in Physics

Other Pages
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026: Download SET-wise PDF with Answer Key & Analysis

JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Hybridisation in Chemistry – Concept, Types & Applications

What Are Elastic Collisions in One Dimension?

Effective Nuclear Charge for JEE

