Question

Explain the term absolute refractive index of a medium and write an expression to relate it with speed of light in vaccum

Answer 1

absolutely refractive index is equal to the speed of light upon the speed of element im medium

Answer 2

The refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of velocity of light in first medium to the velocity of light in that medium.

Mathematically refractive index  

 is the velocity of light in first medium.

 is the velocity of light in second medium i.e the medium under consideration.

Let the first medium is space or vacuum.

Now, the velocity of light in first medium will be c where c is the velocity of light.

Now, the refractive index  

v is the velocity of light in second medium i.e medium under consideration.

Now the refractive index obtained is called absolute refractive index.

Hence, the absolute refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of the velocity of light in air to the velocity of light in that medium.

Mathematically  the absolute refractive index =

1.0