Question

the refractive index of a medium gives an indication of the ---- ability of that medium
​

Answer 1

The refractive index of a medium gives an indication of the light bending ability of the medium.

• When light travels from one medium to another, its velocity changes.
• The phenomenon of light bending at an interface when it passes from one medium to another is called refraction.
• Refractive index is a ratio of velocities that indicates the light bending ability of the medium.
• A higher value of refractive index indicates greater bending of light due to greater difference in velocity of light in the two respective mediums.
• Refractive index of water is 1.33 which means that light travels 1.33 times faster in vacuum than in water.
• Absolute Refractive index of medium = (Velocity of light in vacuum) / (Velocity in medium)