Refractive index is the ratio of the speed of light in a medium to that in vacuum. It determines how light bends, reflects, and disperses when entering a medium, and varies with wavelength and material. Learn about refraction in physics. Get its definition and explore Snell's law and the index of refraction . Get examples for light and sound. Refraction , the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, is a fundamental principle in optics. Refractive index is a crucial concept in understanding this phenomenon. It quantifies how much light is bent when passing from one medium to another. In this article, we will delve into the definition, formula, underlying concepts, examples, and applications of refractive index . What Is Refraction ? Refraction is the bending of a wave when it passes from one medium to another. The bending is caused due to the differences in density between the two substances. Defining Refraction “ Refraction is the change in the direction of a wave passing from one medium to another.” Refraction of light is one of the most commonly observed phenomena, but other waves like sound waves and water waves also experience refraction . Refraction makes it possible for us to have optical ...
