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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 840 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 840 nm · Medium (n = 1.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  2. 2. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 588 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 588 nm · Medium (n = 1.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  3. 3. 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
  4. 4. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1344 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 1344 nm · Medium (n = 2.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  5. 5. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 752 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 752 nm · Medium (n = 1.6): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  6. 6. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 552 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 552 nm · Medium (n = 2.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  7. 7. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 396 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 396 nm · Medium (n = 1.2): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  8. 8. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 384 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 384 nm · Medium (n = 1.6): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  9. 9. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 464 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 464 nm · Medium (n = 1.6): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  10. 10. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 720 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.5. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 720 nm · Medium (n = 1.5): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  11. 11. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 888 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 888 nm · Medium (n = 2.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  12. 12. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 940 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 940 nm · Medium (n = 2): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
12 questions · Seed 43 · 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 840 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    600 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 840 nm ÷ 1.4 = 600 nm.

  2. 2. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 588 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    420 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 588 nm ÷ 1.4 = 420 nm.

  3. 3. 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.

  4. 4. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1344 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    560 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 1344 nm ÷ 2.4 = 560 nm.

  5. 5. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 752 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    470 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 752 nm ÷ 1.6 = 470 nm.

  6. 6. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 552 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    230 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 552 nm ÷ 2.4 = 230 nm.

  7. 7. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 396 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    330 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 396 nm ÷ 1.2 = 330 nm.

  8. 8. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 384 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    240 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 384 nm ÷ 1.6 = 240 nm.

  9. 9. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 464 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    290 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 464 nm ÷ 1.6 = 290 nm.

  10. 10. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 720 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.5. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    480 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 720 nm ÷ 1.5 = 480 nm.

  11. 11. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 888 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    370 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 888 nm ÷ 2.4 = 370 nm.

  12. 12. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 940 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    470 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 940 nm ÷ 2 = 470 nm.

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification