Example 1
If light travels at 2.00 × 10⁸ m/s in a material, n ≈ 1.50.
Mendeleev
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Physics tools › Refractive index calculator
Mendeleev · Physics
Refractive index calculator
The refractive index compares the speed of light in vacuum with its phase speed in a material. For ordinary transparent materials in visible light, n is typically greater than 1.
Formula usedn = c / v
Calculate
Refractive index calculator
What do the symbols mean?
nrefractive index
vspeed in medium
Two worked examples
Example 2
For n = 1.33, light travels at about 2.25 × 10⁸ m/s in the medium.
Good to known is dimensionless; c is the speed of light in vacuum.