Question

Find the refractive index of two media with respect to each other when their refractive indices with respect to air or vaccum are known.

Answer 1

Answer:

Let n1a and n2a be the refractive index of two medium with respect to air such that

n1a = n1/ na and n2a= n2/ na. ( na = refractive index of Air =1)

Therefore refractive index of media with respect to each other is n12

(Refractive index of first with respect to second)

n12= n1/na÷ n2/ na = n1/ n2

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

when light travels from medium 1 to medium 2, we have , sin i/sin r = n21

where n21 = v 1/ v 2

if medium 1 = air then, v 1 = c

then, n21 = n 2 = absolute refractive index= c/v = 3.10^8

also ,absolute refractive index n 1= c/v 1 and n 2 = c/v 2 : n 2 /n 1 = v 1/ v /2 but v 1 / v 2 =n21

therefore, n21 = n1/ n2