What is refractive index?
PhysicsClass 10CBSEAnswered 28 May 2026
Answer
Refractive index measures how much light slows down when passing from vacuum into a medium.
Formula: n = c / v (speed of light in vacuum / speed in medium)
| Medium | Refractive Index |
|---|---|
| Vacuum | 1.00 |
| Water | 1.33 |
| Glass | ~1.5 |
| Diamond | 2.42 |
Diamond's high refractive index (2.42) causes brilliant sparkle through total internal reflection.
Refractive index measures how much a medium slows down light compared to vacuum, determining how much the light bends.
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