Question
What is meant by relative refractive index of a medium?
Solution
Relative refractive index: The relative refractive index of medium 2 with respect to medium 1 is defined as the ratio of speed of light (v1) in medium 1 to the speed of light (v2) in medium 2 and is denoted by n21.
Thus,
Similarly, the refractive index of medium 1 with respect to medium 2 is denoted by n12. It is given by,
Fig. Refraction of light from medium 1 to medium 2
Thus,
Similarly, the refractive index of medium 1 with respect to medium 2 is denoted by n12. It is given by,
Fig. Refraction of light from medium 1 to medium 2
