In every medium,incident light entering at a certain angle (i) will bend at different angles (r) in various mediums. Refractive index is directly related to the velocity of which light in that medium is able to pass through, which is different in every medium and is due to its density."The greater the velocity the smaller the refractive index"
hope this helped =)
hope this helped =)
-
why is the index of refraction a unique property of a medium
The index of refraction helps us determine the average velocity of light as it passes through the medium. The structure and composition of the medium determine the amount of time required for light to travel through the medium.
As light travels between the electrons, nuclei, ions or molecules, its velocity is the speed of light in a vacuum. This is because there is nothing in that space. However, when the light collides with the particles, it transfers its energy to the particles. When electrons absorb the energy, they become “excited”,so they emit light of a specific frequency, which we see as light of a specific color. When the nuclei, ions or molecules absorb the energy, they vibrate at a higher frequency. This causes the particles to have a higher vibrational kinetic energy. Temperature measures the average vibrational kinetic energy. So the temperature of the medium will increase.
The collisions require time. Absorbing energy emitting part of it as light and part as “heat energy” requires time. This is like driving 500 miles in 10 hours, with stops for food and restroom.
Velocity = 500 ÷ 10= 50 mph
However, the time for stops for food and restroom = 2 hours Total time on the highway = 12 hours
Average velocity = 500 ÷ 12 hours = 41.7mph
The average velocity is less, because more time was required.
Light travels at “speed of light” only when in a vacuum. The vacuum exists in the space between the particles. During the collisions, the light is not travelling through the medium. During this time, the light is interacting with the particles in the medium; energizing the electrons so you can see the color of the light, and energizing the particles to increase their vibrational kinetic energy. In transparent substances, very little light energy is converted into vibrational kinetic energy of the particles. The temperature of glass does not increase much as light passes through it. The only reason that you can see the light in the glass, water, or other medium, is that electrons absorb the energy of the light, become “excited”, then release the energy as light.
The index of refraction helps us determine the average velocity of light as it passes through the medium. The structure and composition of the medium determine the amount of time required for light to travel through the medium.
As light travels between the electrons, nuclei, ions or molecules, its velocity is the speed of light in a vacuum. This is because there is nothing in that space. However, when the light collides with the particles, it transfers its energy to the particles. When electrons absorb the energy, they become “excited”,so they emit light of a specific frequency, which we see as light of a specific color. When the nuclei, ions or molecules absorb the energy, they vibrate at a higher frequency. This causes the particles to have a higher vibrational kinetic energy. Temperature measures the average vibrational kinetic energy. So the temperature of the medium will increase.
The collisions require time. Absorbing energy emitting part of it as light and part as “heat energy” requires time. This is like driving 500 miles in 10 hours, with stops for food and restroom.
Velocity = 500 ÷ 10= 50 mph
However, the time for stops for food and restroom = 2 hours Total time on the highway = 12 hours
Average velocity = 500 ÷ 12 hours = 41.7mph
The average velocity is less, because more time was required.
Light travels at “speed of light” only when in a vacuum. The vacuum exists in the space between the particles. During the collisions, the light is not travelling through the medium. During this time, the light is interacting with the particles in the medium; energizing the electrons so you can see the color of the light, and energizing the particles to increase their vibrational kinetic energy. In transparent substances, very little light energy is converted into vibrational kinetic energy of the particles. The temperature of glass does not increase much as light passes through it. The only reason that you can see the light in the glass, water, or other medium, is that electrons absorb the energy of the light, become “excited”, then release the energy as light.
12
keywords: of,index,is,property,Why,medium,unique,refraction,the,Why is the index of refraction a unique property of a medium