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Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [1]
Absolute refractive index of water and glass is 4/3 and 3/2 respectively. If the speed of light in glass is 2 × 10⁸ m/s, the speed of light in water is :
  1. (A) 9/4 × 10⁸ m/s
  2. (B) 7/3 × 10⁸ m/s
  3. (C) 16/9 × 10⁸ m/s
  4. (D) 9/8 × 10⁸ m/s
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2025 31/3/1 Q11
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:48 · grounding rag
Model Answer

(A) 9/4 × 10⁸ m/s

Using $n = c/v$: speed in water $= c/n_w$ and speed in glass $= c/n_g$.

$$\frac{v_w}{v_g} = \frac{n_g}{n_w} = \frac{3/2}{4/3} = \frac{9}{8}$$

$$v_w = \frac{9}{8} \times 2 \times 10^8 = \frac{9}{4} \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$$

Source: Chapter 9, Section 9.3.2 The Refractive Index

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Explanation

The key relation is $n = c/v$, so $v = c/n$. Rather than finding $c$ separately, take the ratio of speeds in the two media: $v_w/v_g = n_g/n_w$. This eliminates $c$ and gives the answer directly. Examiners expect you to show the ratio step clearly before substituting the given speed in glass.

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Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.