World's only instant tutoring platform
dropdown-logo
Get 2 FREE Instant-Explanations on Filo with code FILOAPP
Question
Medium
Timing Icon

Solving time: 3 mins

Explain how Corpuscular theory predicts the speed of light in a medium, say, water, to be greater than the speed of light in vacuum. Is the prediction confirmed by experimental deteration of the speed of light in water? If not, which alternative picture of light is consistent with experiment?

tutor 0tutor 1tutor 2
Found 4 tutors discussing this question
Discuss this question LIVE
10 mins ago

Text SolutionText solutionverified iconVerified

No; Wave theory
Newton’s corpuscular theory of light states that when light corpus
of two media moves from a rarer (air) to a denser (water) medium, the particles experience forces of attraction normal to the surface. Hence, the normal component of velocity increases while the component along the surface remains unchanged.
Hence,
 = Angle of incidence
 = Angle of reflection
 = Velocity of light in air
 = Velocity of light in water
We have the relation for relative refractive index of water with respect to air as
Thus,
Hence, it can be inferred that . This is not possible since this prediction is opposite to the experimental results of .
The wave picture of light is consistent with the experimental results.
Was this solution helpful?
46
Share
Report
One destination for complete JEE/NEET preparation
One destination to cover all your homework and assignment needs
Learn Practice Revision Succeed
Instant 1:1 help, 24x7
Instant 1:1 help, 24x7
60, 000+ Expert tutors
60, 000+ Expert tutors
Textbook solutions
Textbook solutions
Big idea maths, McGraw-Hill Education etc
Big idea maths, McGraw-Hill Education etc
Essay review
Essay review
Get expert feedback on your essay
Get expert feedback on your essay
Schedule classes
Schedule classes
High dosage tutoring from Dedicated 3 experts
High dosage tutoring from Dedicated 3 experts
Trusted by 4 million+ students

Practice questions from Physics Part-II (NCERT)

View more
filo Logo
Doubt Icon Doubt Icon

Stuck on the question or explanation?

Connect with our Physics tutors online and get step by step solution of this question.

231 students are taking LIVE classes
Question Text
Explain how Corpuscular theory predicts the speed of light in a medium, say, water, to be greater than the speed of light in vacuum. Is the prediction confirmed by experimental deteration of the speed of light in water? If not, which alternative picture of light is consistent with experiment?
TopicWave Optics
SubjectPhysics
ClassClass 12
Answer TypeText solution:1
Upvotes46