A light ray passes from water to (i) air, and (ii) glass. In each case, state how does the speed of light change?
A light ray passes from water to (i) air, and (ii) glass. In each case, state how does the speed of light change?

Solution:

Water has a refractive index of 1.33.

Air has a refractive index of 1.0003.

Glass has a refractive index of 1.5.

This shows that

μa < μw < μg

When light travels from a rarer to a denser medium, its speed drops, and it increases when it travels from a denser to a rarer media.

As a result, when a light ray crosses from water to air, the speed of light increases, and when the light ray passes from water to glass, the speed of light drops.