Example from Physics, 17.2 Applications of Diffraction, Interference, and Coherence

Change of Wavelength

A monochromatic laser beam of green light with a wavelength of 550 nm passes from air to water. The refractive index of water is 1.33. What will be the wavelength of the light after it enters the water?

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Strategy
You can assume that the refractive index of air is the same as that of light in a vacuum because they are so close. You then have all the information you need to solve for $λ_{n}$ .
Solution
$λ_{n} = \frac{λ}{n} = \frac{550 nm}{1.33} = 414 nm$
17.5

0 of 2 steps open

How did it go?

Strategy

Solution