Question

The refractive index of alcohol is:
(A)1.44
(B)1.36
(C)1.47
(D)1.50

Answer 1

The above question is factual. The refractive index of a few important substances must be kept in mind for convenience. It is useful in determining the value of wavelength or the velocity of light in a particular medium. By definition, the refractive index of a substance is the measure of bending of light when it passes from one medium to another as there is a chance in the speed of light.

Complete answer:
There is less bending of light for substances with lower refractive index and the rays of light travel faster. So we can say that the refractive index of alcohol must be greater than air or water, but less than glass than of glass.
From the given refractive indices, 1.36 is the correct option since it is only higher than the refractive index of water by a small amount.
Thus, from the options given, the closest value of refractive index that can be deduced for alcohol considering it a liquid is 1.36 as it must be greater than water but less than that of solids.

So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Additional Information:
The list of refractive indices of a few substances which must be kept in mind are given below:
Air=1.003
Water=1.333
Alcohol=1.36
Glass=1.5
Diamond=2.417

Note:
The refractive index is a characteristic property of substances which is used to identify these substances. It is a dimensionless number and a physical parameter which gives us an idea about the bending of light when light travels from one medium to another.