If the refractive index of alcohol is 1.36, what will be the speed of light in it?

Answer

To find the speed of light in alcohol given its refractive index, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Refractive Index**: The refractive index (μ) of a medium is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum (or air) (C) to the speed of light in that medium (V). Mathematically, this is expressed as:
\[ \mu = \frac{C}{V} \]

2. **Identify Given Values**: From the question, we know:
- Refractive index of alcohol (μ) = 1.36
- Speed of light in vacuum or air (C) = \(3 \times 10^8\) meters per second

3. **Rearrange the Formula**: To find the speed of light in alcohol (V), we can rearrange the formula:
\[ V = \frac{C}{\mu} \]

4. **Substitute the Values**: Now, substitute the known values into the rearranged formula:
\[ V = \frac{3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}}{1.36} \]

5. **Perform the Calculation**: Calculate the speed of light in alcohol:
\[ V = \frac{3 \times 10^8}{1.36} \approx 2.20 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s} \]

6. **Conclusion**: The speed of light in alcohol is approximately \(2.20 \times 10^8\) meters per second.