Question

Refractive index of diamond is 2.42. What is the meaning of this statement?

Answer 1

When we say refractive index of diamond is 2.42, it means light is travelling from rarer to denser medium, and speed of light in air is 2.42 times the speed of light in diamond. On the other hand if the light travels from denser to rarer medium, i.e, from diamond to air the refractive index will be 1/2.42.

Answer 2

The given statement means that when light enters a diamond, its velocity gets reduced by a factor of 2.42.

HOPE IT HELPS

Thanking you

Yours truly

ZunayedTIME