Predict why the refractive index of air is slightly higher

Wisniewool

Wisniewool

Answered question

2022-07-13

Predict why the refractive index of air is slightly higher than the refractive index of a vacuum?

Answer & Explanation

sniokd

sniokd

Beginner2022-07-14Added 22 answers

The refractive index of a medium is defined as n = c v , where c is the speed of light in a vacuum and v is the apparent velocity of light traveling through that medium.
The refractive index of a vacuum is c c = 1.
Since light seems to travel slower in air (but not by much since air is not as optically dense), the refractive index will be greater c v > 1 since 0

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