Question

why is the refractive index of a transparent medium always greater than 1?

Answer 1

Refractive index is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in air to that in another medium. ... n = c/v ; c is always greater than v . So numerator is always greater than denominator that's why n is always greater and equal to 1.


Hope it helps you friend....

Answer 2

the refractive index of a medium is greater than 1 because ;

n(refractive index)=c/v ( c represents vacuum and v represents 2nd medium )

v is greater than c

and therefore n is greater than 1