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Physics

Name two factors on which the refractive index of a medium depends? State how does it depends on the factors stated by you.

Refraction Plane Surfaces

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Answer

The factors on which the refractive index of a medium depends are as follows —

(i) Nature of the medium (on the basis of speed of light) — Less the speed of light in the medium as compared to that in air, more is the refractive index of the medium.

We know that,

μ=Speed of light in vacuum or air (c) Speed of light in glass (V)μ = \dfrac{\text{Speed of light in vacuum or air (c) }}{\text {Speed of light in glass (V)}} \\[0.5em]

Vglass = 2 x 10 8 ms-1, μglass = 1.5

Vwater = 2.25 x 10 8 ms-1, μwater = 1.33

(ii) Physical condition such as temperature — With an increase in temperature, the speed of light in medium increases, so the refractive index of the medium decreases.

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