Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Speed of Light
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Speed of Light
The speeds of red light and yellow light are exactly equal
The speeds of red light and yellow light are exactly equal
Options
- Ain air but not in vacuum
- Bin both vacuum and air
- Cin neither vacuum nor air
- Din vacuum but not in air
Correct answer
D. in vacuum but not in air
Step-by-step solution
In vacuum, all electromagnetic waves travel with the same speed , regardless of their wavelength. Thus, the speeds of red and yellow light are exactly equal in vacuum.
In a material medium like air, the speed of light is given by , where is the refractive index of the medium. According to Cauchy's relation, the refractive index depends on the wavelength as . Since the wavelength of red light is greater than that of yellow light (), the refractive index of air for red light is slightly less than that for yellow light ().
Therefore, the speed of red light in air is slightly greater than the speed of yellow light (). The speeds are exactly equal in vacuum but not in air.
In a material medium like air, the speed of light is given by , where is the refractive index of the medium. According to Cauchy's relation, the refractive index depends on the wavelength as . Since the wavelength of red light is greater than that of yellow light (), the refractive index of air for red light is slightly less than that for yellow light ().
Therefore, the speed of red light in air is slightly greater than the speed of yellow light (). The speeds are exactly equal in vacuum but not in air.