Refractive Index (Noun)
Meaning
The ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to that in a medium.
Classification
Nouns denoting relations between people or things or ideas.
Examples
- The refractive index of a diamond is 2.42, which is one of the highest among naturally occurring materials.
- In optics, the refractive index is a fundamental property that determines the behavior of light as it passes from one medium to another.
- The refractive index of water is approximately 1.33, which is why objects appear distorted when viewed underwater.
- A medium with a high refractive index bends light more strongly than one with a low refractive index, as described by Snell's law.
- The refractive index of a glass prism can be calculated by measuring the angles of incidence and refraction and applying the appropriate formulas.