question_answer 54)

    How is the refractive index of a medium related to the speed of light? Obtain an expression for refractive index of a medium with respect to another in terms of speed of light in these two media?

Answer:

                  The refractive index of the medium is defined as the ratio of speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the medium. It is expressed as =  refractive index of first medium refractive index of second medium velocity in first medium velocity in second medium For medium 1, we have For medium 2, we have