How is the refractive index of a material related to the speed of light in it?

The refractive index of a material is the ratio of speeds of light in the two mediums.

It is given as:

$Refractive\ index\ of\ a\ material=\frac {Speed\ of\ light\ in\ vacuum}{Speed\ of\ light\ in\ the\ material}$

Explanation

Also, the refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1 is equal to the ratio of the speed of light in medium 1 and in medium 2.

Mathematically, it is given as-

$_{1}^{2}\ {n}=\frac {v_1}{v_2}$

Where,

$v_1$ = Speed of light in medium 1.

$v_2$ = Speed of light in medium 2.

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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