Small practice. Bright discoveries.Explore the free starter collection
Back to worksheets
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.

New variationTry interactive challengeBrowse templates

Choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy. Use your browser’s paper setting for A4 or Letter.

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 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
  2. 2. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1080 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 1080 nm · Medium (n = 2): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  3. 3. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 320 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 320 nm · Medium (n = 1.6): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  4. 4. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 600 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 600 nm · Medium (n = 2.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  5. 5. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 630 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 630 nm · Medium (n = 1.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  6. 6. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1128 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 1128 nm · Medium (n = 2.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  7. 7. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1440 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 1440 nm · Medium (n = 2.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  8. 8. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 558 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.8. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 558 nm · Medium (n = 1.8): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  9. 9. 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
  10. 10. 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
  11. 11. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 465 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.5. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 465 nm · Medium (n = 1.5): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
  12. 12. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 700 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    Vacuum: λ₀ = 700 nm · Medium (n = 1.4): λ = λ₀ ÷ n
12 questions · Seed 45 · 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 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.

  2. 2. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1080 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 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 = 1080 nm ÷ 2 = 540 nm.

  3. 3. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 320 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.6. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    200 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 320 nm ÷ 1.6 = 200 nm.

  4. 4. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 600 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    250 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 600 nm ÷ 2.4 = 250 nm.

  5. 5. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 630 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    450 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 630 nm ÷ 1.4 = 450 nm.

  6. 6. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1128 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    470 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 1128 nm ÷ 2.4 = 470 nm.

  7. 7. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 1440 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 2.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    600 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 1440 nm ÷ 2.4 = 600 nm.

  8. 8. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 558 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.8. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    310 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 558 nm ÷ 1.8 = 310 nm.

  9. 9. 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.

  10. 10. 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.

  11. 11. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 465 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.5. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    310 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 465 nm ÷ 1.5 = 310 nm.

  12. 12. A monochromatic light beam has wavelength 700 nm in a vacuum and enters a transparent medium with refractive index n = 1.4. Calculate its wavelength inside the medium.

    500 nm

    Inside a medium of refractive index n, wavelength is reduced by a factor of n: λ = 700 nm ÷ 1.4 = 500 nm.

12 questions · Seed 45 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification