Question

Define the 'refractive index' of a medium in terms of the velocity of light.

Answer 1

Refractive index of light in terms of velocity of light -

1. The Refractive index is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in a specific medium.
2. The Refractive index is dimensionless. It is a number that indicates the number of times slower than a light wave would be in the material than it is in a vacuum.
3. The Refractive index, represented by the symbol ‘n’, is the velocity of light in a vacuum divided by the velocity of light in a medium. The formula of the refractive index is,

$n=\frac{c}{v}$

Where,

n = Refractive index.

c = Velocity of light in a vacuum ($3\times {10}^8\frac{m}{s}$).

v = Velocity of light in a substance.