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What is Index of refraction?

User ZephDavies
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Refractive Index is the measure of bending of light rays.

Step-by-step explanation:

  • Index of refraction or Refractive Index is the measurement of the phenomenon exhibited by light rays - bending of light rays when passing from one medium to another.
  • It can also be measured as the ratio between speed of light in vacuum or empty space to that of the speed of light in a given medium.
  • Index of refraction is denoted by n and is calculated by the following formula

n = Speed of light in vacuum/Speed of light in the given medium = c/v

  • It can also be measured using the angle of incidence and angle of refraction.

n = sin i/sin r where i is the angle of incidence and r is the angle of refraction

User HatAndBeard
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