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5.2.3 Refractive Index

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  1. The value of  sini/sinr is called the refractive index of the medium and it gives you an indication of its light-bending ability.
  2. In SPM, when we say “refractive index”, what we mean is the absolute refractive index of a substance. The absolute refractive index of a substance is the refractive index where light ray travels from vacuum (or air) into the substance.

Refractive Index and the Speed of light

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( Note that the greater the refractive index of a medium, the lower is the speed of light. The more light is slowed, the more it is bent. )