Question

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 1

Explanation:

The refractive index of a medium (n) is equal to the speed of light (c) divided by the velocity of light through the medium (v). ... The lower the refractive index, the faster the velocity of light.

Answer 2

Hey...  

The Refractive index compares the speed of light in a particular medium with the speed of light in a vacuum.

It measures the optical density of a medium.

It should not be confused with the mass density of the medium.

For turpentine oil, its mass density is less than water but optical density is more than that of water.

Now, moving on to your question, the relation between refractive index and speed of light:

refractive index (mu) = c (speed of light in vacuum) / v(speed of light in any medium)

for vaccum, refractive index = 1

This relation is also used in Snell's law...

Let the refractive index of medium 1 be u1...and the speed of light in medium1 be v1.

Therefore, u1 = c / v1 ----------equation1.

Similarly,

Let the refractive index of medium2 be u2 ...and the speed of light in medium 2 be v2...

Therefore, u2 = c / v2-----------equation2

Now,

⇒ u1 sin i = u2 sin r

⇒ sin i / sin r = u2 / u1     (Using equation 1 and 2....)

⇒ sin i / sin r = c / v2 × v1 / c

⇒ sin i / sin r = v1 / v2

HOPE IT HELPS...