Refractive Index

IMPORTANT

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

EASY
IMPORTANT

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.

EASY
IMPORTANT

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

EASY
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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.

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

If the absolute refractive index of glass is 3/2 and that of water is 5/4, then find the ratio of speed of light in water and to that in glass.

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

Light travels from air to glass slab having refractive index of 1.50. The speed of light in glass will be _____×108 m/s?

(Speed of light in vacuum is 3×108 m/s.)

EASY
IMPORTANT

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

HARD
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The speed of light in water is 2.25×108 m/s. If the speed of light in vacuum is 3×108 m/s, calculate the refractive index of water.

MEDIUM
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The refractive index of a transparent material is 32. The speed of the light in that medium is _____ kms.

MEDIUM
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Determine the refractive index of benzene if the critical angle is 42°.

MEDIUM
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Refractive index of glass relative to water is 98. 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)

MEDIUM
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The speed of the light in a diamond is 1,24,000 km s-1. Find the refractive index of diamond if the speed of light in air is 3,00,000 km s-1.

EASY
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Absolute refractive index of some materials A, B, C and D are given as below:

Medium A B C D
Refractive index 1.54 1.33 2.42 1.65

In which of these materials, light travels fastest?

EASY
IMPORTANT

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

MEDIUM
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What is the absolute refractive index of the denser medium if a light ray moves from air to this medium with angle of incidence 60° and angle of refraction 45°?

MEDIUM
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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?

EASY
IMPORTANT

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

MEDIUM
IMPORTANT

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?