What is the index of refraction?

1 Answer
Biology_geek
Apr 14, 2014

The index of refraction of a material is a ratio that compares the speed of light in a vacuum (c = 3.00 x 10^8 m/s) to the speed of light in that particular medium.

It can be calculated, if one knows the speed of light in that medium, using the formula

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As the index of refraction increases, the amount that the material bends the light increases.

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