Refractive Index
Refractive Index: Overview
In this topic, we will learn the laws of refraction and the concept of refractive index. We will learn about the refractive index of different materials. It also highlights the properties of refraction of light and application of refraction.
Important Questions on Refractive Index
When a light ray after suffering any number of reflections and refractions, its final path has reversed, it travels back along its entire initial path.

The refractive index of a medium depends on the wavelength of the light, it decreases with increase in wavelength.

If the speed of light in the second medium is more than its speed in the first medium then the second medium is an optically rarer medium as compared to the first medium.

If the absolute refractive index of glass is and that of water is , then find the ratio of speed of light in water and to that in glass.

Light travels from air to glass slab having refractive index of . The speed of light in glass will be ?
(Speed of light in vacuum is .)

Refractive index of a medium depend upon the temperature of the medium.

The speed of light in water is . If the speed of light in vacuum is , calculate the refractive index of water.

The refractive index of a transparent material is . The speed of the light in that medium is _____ .

Determine the refractive index of benzene if the critical angle is .

Refractive index of glass relative to water is . What is the refractive index of water relative to glass?
(Give the answer in decimals (up-to two decimals), do not give answer as a fraction)

The speed of the light in a diamond is . Find the refractive index of diamond if the speed of light in air is .

Absolute refractive index of some materials A, B, C and D are given as below:
Medium | A | B | C | D |
---|---|---|---|---|
Refractive index |
In which of these materials, light travels fastest?

is equal to the ratio of real depth to the _____.

What is the absolute refractive index of the denser medium if a light ray moves from air to this medium with angle of incidence and angle of refraction ?

What is the principle that states when a light ray undergoes any number of reflections and refractions, its final path reverses, and it travels back along its entire initial path?

How does the path of a light ray change when it enters into a rectangular glass slab from the air?

An experiment is performed to find the refractive index of glass using a rectangular glass slab. Which one of the following is a wrong observation taken by him?
