NCERT Solution for Class 10 Science Chapter 10
Light – Reflection and Refraction
NCERT Books for Session 2022-2023
CBSE Board and UP Board
Intext Questions
Page No-176
Questions No-5
The refractive index of diamond is 2.42. What is the meaning of this statement?
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Refractive index of a medium nm is related to the speed of light in that medium v by the
relation:
nₘ = Speed light of in air / Speed of light in the medium = c/v
Where, c is the speed of light in vacuum/air
The refractive index of diamond is 2.42. This suggests that the speed of light in diamond
will reduce by a factor 2.42 compared to its speed in air.
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The refractive index of diamond is 2.42. This means that the speed of light in diamond will reduce by a factor of 2.42 as compared to its speed in air.
In other words, the speed of light in diamond is 1/2.42 times the speed of light in vacuum.
By saying that the refractive index of diamond is 2.42, we mean that the speed of light in diamond is lower by a factor of 2.42 relative to that in vacuum.
The refractive index of a material is a measure of how much the speed of light is reduced (or refracted) when it enters the material from a vacuum or air. In the case of diamond with a refractive index of 2.42, it means that light travels approximately 2.42 times slower in diamond than it does in a vacuum.
This property is a result of the interaction between light and the atoms in the material. The high refractive index of diamond is due to its dense, closely packed carbon atoms, which cause a significant slowing down of light compared to less dense materials.
The refractive index is an important optical property and has various implications in optics and jewelry. For example, the high refractive index of diamond contributes to its exceptional sparkle and brilliance. When light enters a diamond, it slows down and bends, causing the light to reflect internally within the diamond and enhancing its luster.
In general, a higher refractive index often indicates a higher optical density of the material, which can influence how light behaves within it. Different materials have different refractive indices, and this property is fundamental in understanding the optics of materials.