A light ray enters the atmosphere of the Earth and descends vertically to the surface a distance h = 100 km below. The index of refraction where the light enters the atmosphere is 1.00, and it increases linearly with distance to have the value n = 1.000 293 at the Earth’s surface. (a) Over what time interval does the light traverse this path? (b) By what percentage is the time interval larger than that required in the absence of the Earth’s atmosphere?

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter25: Reflection And Refraction Of Light
Section: Chapter Questions
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A light ray enters the atmosphere of the Earth and descends vertically to the surface a distance h = 100 km below. The index of refraction where the light enters the atmosphere is 1.00, and it increases linearly with distance to have the value n = 1.000 293 at the Earth’s surface. (a) Over what time interval does the light traverse this path? (b) By what percentage is the time interval larger than that required in the absence of the Earth’s atmosphere?

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