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PHYSICAL QUANTITY

Refractive index: formulas and units of measurement

Refractive index: symbol n, unit dimensionless. Formulas and explanations for Optics.

ndimensionless quantity

KEY CONNECTIONS

Formulas

5
n = sin α / sin γ
n = v₁ / v₂
n = λ₁ / λ₂
sin α₀ = 1 / n
n = n₂ / n₁

NOTATION

Quantities in formulas

The refractive index is a characteristic of the retardation of light in a medium.
Angle of incidence - the angle between the incident ray and the normal to the surface.
The angle of refraction is the angle between the refracted ray and the normal to the surface.
The speed of light in the first medium is the speed of light propagation in the first medium.
The speed of light in the second medium is the speed of light propagation in the second medium.
The wavelength in the first medium is the spatial period of light in the first medium.
The wavelength in the second medium is the spatial period of light in the second medium.
The limiting angle is the angle of incidence at which total internal reflection begins.
The refractive index of the second medium is the optical characteristic of the second medium.
The refractive index of the first medium is the optical characteristic of the first medium.

THEORY

Related Lessons

Refraction and total internal reflection9 class · 28 minReflection and refraction of light11 class · 24 min

PRACTICE

Related tasks

Light phenomena9 class · 12 problemsOptics11 class · 12 problems

DIRECTORY

Wavelengthλ · mLens powerD · diopterLens magnificationΓ · dimensionlessFocal lengthF · m

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