Question

To what extent does the density of water affect its refractive index

Answer 1

Well, im doing an experiment on the refraction of light and it seems that density doesnt affect the refractive index of the substance.

This is the information i got from the web. (i computed for the change in the speed of light by using 1/(refractive index) = change in the speed of light.

68.03% means the speed is 68.03% of the normal speed of light.

--------------refractive index-------change in speed--------density

oil----------------=1.47------------0.680272 (68.03%)----0.92 g/mL

water-------------=1.32356--------0.755538 (75.55%)----1 g/mL

alcohol(Isopropyl)--=1.3772---------0.726110 (72.61%)----0.785g/mL

As you can see in my little research, density really doesnt affect refractive index.

Now in my real experiment, I found out that oil refracts the most light, next to alcohol then water. if you base it on the research it fits. The more refractive index, the mor elight bends, but density didnt affect the refraction).

But my experiment might have been wrong, so i am not 100% sure of this refractive index being changed by density.



Hope there are experts on this subject who can replay back soon:-)