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Silicon, with an index of 3.96, is the lowest I could find.
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∙ 12y ago
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What is the physical significance of refractive index?
The amount of refraction depends on the difference in density between two mediums. So, the amount of refraction a material has, or it's refraction index, is the amount light will bend as it goes from medium into another medium. For instance, Vacuum is considered to have a refraction index of 1 and all other materials being denser than vacuum will naturally have a larger refraction index, they bend light more. So, it simply means that- since the object has a high density it will slow down light by a greater amount.
When light passes from a medium with a high index of refraction into a medium with a lower index of refraction which direction does the light bend?
A medium with a higher index of refraction, like diamond, is more dense than the medium with a lower index of refraction, like air. If the ray of light is moving from the less dense medium (lower index of refraction), to a more dense (higher index of refraction) the ray of light bends TOWARDS the normal.
What happens when a ray of light is traveling from a low index of refraction to a high index of refraction?
The ray is diffracted so that its path moves closer to the normal at the point of incidence.
What is an angle of refraction?
If a beam of light enters a substance with a higher density than air and at an angle, the light is refracted so that an object on the far side of the substance appears to be closer to the observer. If the density of the substance is lower than that of air, the light is refracted away from the observer and the object being viewed appears to be farther away.
Do high refractive neccessarily mean high molecular mass?
Not necessarily. Diamond molecules are comparable in mass to those of water, yet diamond has a far higher index of refraction over water.
What describes a substance with a high index of refraction?
It causes light to slow down significantly.
Why does glycerin have a high refractive index?
The base line for the index of refraction is the amount of directional deviation that is produced when a beam of light travels from the air into another substance. The term "high index" is a relative term. Glycerin actually has a low index of refraction when compared to motor oil. I can't be certain but I believe that the density and opacity of a substance plays a big part in the determination of it's relative index.
What is the physical significance of refractive index?
The amount of refraction depends on the difference in density between two mediums. So, the amount of refraction a material has, or it's refraction index, is the amount light will bend as it goes from medium into another medium. For instance, Vacuum is considered to have a refraction index of 1 and all other materials being denser than vacuum will naturally have a larger refraction index, they bend light more. So, it simply means that- since the object has a high density it will slow down light by a greater amount.
When light passes from a medium with a high index of refraction into a medium with a lower index of refraction which direction does the light bend?
A medium with a higher index of refraction, like diamond, is more dense than the medium with a lower index of refraction, like air. If the ray of light is moving from the less dense medium (lower index of refraction), to a more dense (higher index of refraction) the ray of light bends TOWARDS the normal.
What happens when a ray of light is traveling from a low index of refraction to a high index of refraction?
The ray is diffracted so that its path moves closer to the normal at the point of incidence.
What is refractive index of diamond?
The (very high) refractive index of diamond is 2.4 at room temperature.(From Wikipedia: "Refractive index also describes the quantity that light is bent as it passes through a single substance."
What does refractive index mean?
The amount of refraction depends on the difference in density between two mediums. So, the amount of refraction a material has, or it's refraction index, is the amount light will bend as it goes from medium into another medium. For instance, Vacuum is considered to have a refraction index of 1 and all other materials being denser than vacuum will naturally have a larger refraction index, they bend light more. So, it simply means that- since the object has a high density it will slow down light by a greater amount.
What is an angle of refraction?
If a beam of light enters a substance with a higher density than air and at an angle, the light is refracted so that an object on the far side of the substance appears to be closer to the observer. If the density of the substance is lower than that of air, the light is refracted away from the observer and the object being viewed appears to be farther away.
Do high refractive neccessarily mean high molecular mass?
Not necessarily. Diamond molecules are comparable in mass to those of water, yet diamond has a far higher index of refraction over water.
What is a sentence for refraction?
Atomic refraction is very high.
What is the relevance of the large value of refractive index of diamond in costume jewelry?
The high index of refraction of diamond produces a rainbow effect of multi-colored glitter. This is difficult to reproduce in the less expensive materials used for costume jewelry.
What type of substance is in paint?
What type of substance is titanium dioxide?
