Refractive index and Snell's law

• What is the refractive index of a material?

  The refractive index measures the speed of light as it passes through that material compared to the speed of light as it passes through a vacuum.
• How does the refractive index relate to the speed of light in different materials?


  Materials where light travels more slowly have a higher refractive index.
• What is the refractive index of diamond?


  Diamond has a refractive index of 2.4.
• What is the refractive index of ice?


  Ice has a refractive index of 1.3.
• What is the relationship between the speed of light and the refractive index in a vacuum?


  Light travels fastest in a vacuum, which has a refractive index of 1.
• What is the refractive index of a vacuum?


  A vacuum has a refractive index of 1.
• What are the implications of refractive index on light travel in different materials?


  • Higher refractive index: light travels slower (e.g., diamond).
  • Lower refractive index: light travels faster (e.g., water).
  • Vacuum has the lowest refractive index, allowing light to travel fastest.
• How to find the refractive index of a material and what is the equation?

  To find the refractive index of a material we can use the equation below, where n is the refractive index, c is the speed of light in a vacuum, and v is the speed of light in that material.

  refractive index = speed of light in vacuum/speed of light in material

  it can also be written as:

  n=v/c
• What is Snell’s law?

  Snell's law is an equation that links the refractive index (n), the angle of incidence (i), and angle of refraction (r).

  The formula for Snell's law is:

  n=sin(i)/sin(r)​