Fused quartz has a refractive index of 1.46, and sapphire has a refractive index of 1.77. If Vq is light’s speed in quartz and Vs is its speed in sapphire, which relation holds?

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1. Fused quartz has a refractive index of 1.46, and sapphire has a refractive index of 1.77. If Vq is light’s speed in quartz and Vs is its speed in sapphire, which relation holds?

Vq is greater than Vs

Vs is greater than Vq

Vq equals Vs

Vs equals half of Vq

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A higher refractive index means light travels slower in that medium. Since sapphire’s refractive index is higher than quartz’s, light moves faster through quartz: Vq is greater than Vs.