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ScienceAges 13-15

Refraction & refractive index of light

Use refractive index n = λ₀ ÷ λ to calculate the reduced wavelength of monochromatic light inside an optical medium. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 13-15

Refraction & refractive index of light

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 336 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 336 nm · Medium (n = 1.6): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  2. 2. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 826 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 826 nm · Medium (n = 1.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  3. 3. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 624 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 624 nm · Medium (n = 2.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  4. 4. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 450 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.5. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 450 nm · Medium (n = 1.5): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  5. 5. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 774 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.8. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 774 nm · Medium (n = 1.8): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  6. 6. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 686 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 686 nm · Medium (n = 1.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  7. 7. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1040 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 1040 nm · Medium (n = 1.6): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  8. 8. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 528 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 528 nm · Medium (n = 1.2): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  9. 9. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 330 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.5. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 330 nm · Medium (n = 1.5): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  10. 10. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1056 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 1056 nm · Medium (n = 2.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  11. 11. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 648 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 648 nm · Medium (n = 1.2): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  12. 12. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 672 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 672 nm · Medium (n = 1.2): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 13-15

Refraction & refractive index of light

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 336 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    210 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 336 nm ÷ 1.6 = 210 nm.

  2. 2. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 826 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    590 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 826 nm ÷ 1.4 = 590 nm.

  3. 3. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 624 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    260 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 624 nm ÷ 2.4 = 260 nm.

  4. 4. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 450 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.5. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    300 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 450 nm ÷ 1.5 = 300 nm.

  5. 5. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 774 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.8. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    430 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 774 nm ÷ 1.8 = 430 nm.

  6. 6. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 686 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    490 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 686 nm ÷ 1.4 = 490 nm.

  7. 7. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1040 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    650 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 1040 nm ÷ 1.6 = 650 nm.

  8. 8. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 528 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    440 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 528 nm ÷ 1.2 = 440 nm.

  9. 9. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 330 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.5. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    220 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 330 nm ÷ 1.5 = 220 nm.

  10. 10. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1056 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    440 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 1056 nm ÷ 2.4 = 440 nm.

  11. 11. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 648 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    540 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 648 nm ÷ 1.2 = 540 nm.

  12. 12. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 672 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    560 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 672 nm ÷ 1.2 = 560 nm.

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification