Junior Class 1 Answered
What is refractive index. Can you explain it without usingbits mathematical definition
Asked by arifansari | 19 Feb, 2016, 06:47: PM
Expert Answer
Hi Adiba,
The extent of the change in the direction of a light ray that takes place in a given pair of media is expressed in terms of the refractive index. Light travels fastest in vacuum and also with almost the same speed in air. In other media, its speed is relatively less. The value of the refractive index for a given pair of media depends on the speed of light in the two media.
The refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1 is given as
Similarly, the refractive index of medium 1 with respect to medium 2 is
If medium 1 is vacuum or air, then the refractive index of medium 2 is considered with respect to vacuum. This is known as the absolute refractive index of the medium.
Answered by | 19 Feb, 2016, 07:05: PM
