Refractive Index

Refractive Index

1. Refraction is the change of direction of a wave when it hits a medium, because of the change is density and change of speed

   • Refractive index is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a medium

2. When a wave hits a medium it usually moves towards the normal

   • the the wave hits the medium at 90 degrees or along the normal it will not change direction but will change speed
     • When a wave hits a medium it will either be refracted or reflected depending on the angle of incidence

3. refractive index (n)= angle of incidence sin i) / angle of refraction (sin r)