# Analysis of an interference effect in a clear solid shows that the wavelength of light in the solid is 329 nm. Is the substance zircon or diamond?

Analysis of an interference effect in a clear solid shows that the wavelength of light in the solid is 329 nm. Knowing this light comes from a He-Ne laser and has a wavelength of 633 nm in air, is the substance zircon or diamond?

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1. Strategy:
The wavelength of light changes when light crosses air to a different medium by the relation: Xn = 2 , where n is the index of refraction of this medium. To identify the material, solve this equation for n and compare its value with the values in table 25.1 to find the most probable substance.
2. $$\displaystyle{n}={\frac{{\lambda}}{{\lambda_{{{n}}}}}}={\frac{{{633}{n}{m}}}{{{329}{n}{m}}}}={1.92}$$
3. From table 25.1, the probable substance is zircon.