Is it possible for the refractive index of a medium to be less than 1?

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Solution

As refractive index $n = \frac{s p e e d o f l i g h t i n v a c u u m (c)}{s p e e d o f l i g h t i n m e d i u m (v)}$ , Speed of light in any medium (v) is always less than that in vacuum. So refractive index of a medium is always greater than 1.

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Define the term refractive index of a medium. Can it be less than 1?

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Question 5
A light ray enters from medium A to medium B as shown in figure. The refractive index of medium B relative to A will be:

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(b) less than unity
(c) equal to unity
(d) zero

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Is it possible for the refractive index of a medium to be less than 1?

As refractive index n=speed of light in vacuum (c)speed of light in medium (v), Speed of light in any medium (v) is always less than that in vacuum. So refractive index of a medium is always greater than 1.

As refractive index $n = \frac{s p e e d o f l i g h t i n v a c u u m (c)}{s p e e d o f l i g h t i n m e d i u m (v)}$ , Speed of light in any medium (v) is always less than that in vacuum. So refractive index of a medium is always greater than 1.