Refractive index is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in a medium. Learn how to calculate refractive index , its importance for optical polymers, and how it varies with wavelength. What is Refractive Index : The refractive index (also denoted by the symbol 'n') of a material is a dimensionless number that represents how much light bends or refracts when it travels through that material compared to its speed in a vacuum. Refraction , the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, is a fundamental principle in optics. Refractive index is a crucial concept in understanding this phenomenon. It quantifies how much light is bent when passing from one medium to another. In this article, we will delve into the definition, formula, underlying concepts, examples, and applications of refractive index . Refractive Index is a property of any material which is used to define the ratio between the speed of light in a medium to the speed in a vacuum. It is denoted by the symbol μ. When travelling in a medium other than the vacuum light particles are absorbed and re-emit by the medium which slows down the speed of light. Let's discuss the refractive index and its application and others in detail in this article. Refraction of Light It sometimes appears or observed that when the light rays are ...