3.4.4

Refractive index

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Snell's Law

Snell's law relates indices of refraction to the angles of incidence and refraction.

Equation

Equation

Snell's law is:
- $n_1 \sin \theta_1 = n_2 \sin \theta_2$
The ray of light begins in the medium with index of refraction n₁.
θ₁ is the angle of incidence.
n₂ is the index of refration of the medium the light passes into.
θ₂ is the angle of refraction.

Direction of bending

Direction of bending

When light travels from a less optically dense medium to a more optically dense medium, it bends towards the normal.
When light travels from a more optically dense medium to a less optically dense medium, it bends away from the normal.
The more optically dense a medium is, the slower light travels through it, and therefore the larger its index of refraction.

1

Space, Time & Motion

1.1

Motion

1.1.1Motion Basics 1.1.2Graphs of Motion 1.1.3Uniform Acceleration Equations 1.1.4Projectile Motion 1.1.5Bouncing Ball Example

1.2

Forces

1.2.1Friction 1.2.2Terminal Speed 1.2.3Newton's Laws 1.2.4Exam-Style Question - Forces 1.2.5End of Topic Test - Newton's Third Law

1.3

Momentum & Impulse

1.3.1Momentum 1.3.2Momentum 2 1.3.3End of Topic Test - Newton's Laws & Momentum

1.4

Work, Energy & Power

1.4.1Work & Energy 1.4.2Conservation of Energy 1.4.3Power & Efficiency 1.4.4IB Multiple Choice- Work, Energy & Power

2

The Particulate Nature of Matter

2.1

Thermal Concepts

2.1.1Molecular Kinetic Theory Model 2.1.2Molecular Kinetic Theory Model 2 2.1.3Thermal Energy Transfer 2.1.4Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments 2.1.5Thermal Equilibrium 2.1.6Thermal Conductivity 2.1.7Heat Energy Transfer

2.2

Modelling a Gas

2.2.1Ideal Gases 2.2.2Ideal Gases 2 2.2.3End of Topic Test - Thermal Energy & Ideal Gases 2.2.4Exam-Style Question - Ideal Gases

3

Wave Behaviour

3.1

Oscillations

3.1.1Progressive Waves 3.1.2Simple Harmonic Motion

3.2

Travelling Waves

3.2.1Wave Speed & Phase Difference 3.2.2Longitudinal & Transverse Waves 3.2.3Electromagnetic Waves 3.2.4Electromagnetic Waves 2 3.2.5Sound Waves

3.3

Wave Characteristics

3.3.1Polarisation

3.4

Wave Behaviour

3.4.1Reflection & Absorption 3.4.2Reflection of Light 3.4.3Refraction 3.4.4Refractive index

3.5

Standing Waves

3.5.1Standing Waves 3.5.2Standing Waves 2 3.5.3End of Topic Test - Standing Waves 3.5.4IB Multiple Choice - Waves

3.6

Simple Harmonic Motion

3.6.1Simple Harmonic Motion 3.6.2Simple Harmonic Systems 3.6.3Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion 3.6.4End of Topic Test - Simple Harmonic Motion 3.6.5End of Topic Test - Simple Harmonic Motion

3.7

Single Slit Diffraction

3.7.1Diffraction

3.8

Interference

3.8.1Interference 3.8.2Interference 2 3.8.3Diffraction Gratings 3.8.4End of Topic Test - Diffraction

3.9

Doppler Effect

3.9.1Doppler Effect

4

Fields

4.1

Circular Motion

4.1.1Circular Motion 4.1.2Centripetal Force 4.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Circular Motion

4.2

Newton's Law of Gravitation

4.2.1Newton's Law 4.2.2Orbits of Planets & Satellites 4.2.3Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits 4.2.4End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields

4.3

Fields

4.3.1Fields 4.3.2Gravitational Field Strength 4.3.3Gravitational Potential 4.3.4Electric Field Strength 4.3.5Electrostatic & Gravitational Forces 4.3.6Electric Potential 4.3.7IB Multiple Choice - Gravitational Fields

4.4

Fields at Work

4.4.1Radial Field Strength 4.4.2Orbits of Planets & Satellites 4.4.3Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits 4.4.4End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields 4.4.5Uniform Electric Fields 4.4.6IB Multiple Choice - Electric Field & Potential

4.5

Electric Fields

4.5.1Electric Charge 4.5.2Conservation of Charge 4.5.3Coulomb's Law 4.5.4Current 4.5.5Potential Difference 4.5.6IB Multiple Choice - Electric Charge

4.6

Magnetic Effect of Electric Currents

4.6.1Magnetism 4.6.2Magnetic Field 4.6.3Magnetic Force 4.6.4Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field 4.6.5IB Multiple Choice - Magnetism

4.7

Heating Effect of Currents

4.7.1Circuits 4.7.2Resistance 4.7.3Power and Conservation 4.7.4IB Multiple Choice - DC Circuits

4.8

Electromagnetic Induction

4.8.1Electromagnetic Induction 4.8.2Electromagnetic Induction 2 4.8.3Magnetic Flux & Flux Linkage 4.8.4End of Topic Test - Electromagnetic Induction

4.9

Power Generation & Transmission

4.9.1Alternating Currents 4.9.2Operation of a Transformer

4.10

Capacitance

4.10.1Capacitance 4.10.2Parallel Plate Capacitor 4.10.3Energy Stored by a Capacitor 4.10.4Capacitor Discharge 4.10.5Capacitor Charge 4.10.6Magnetic Flux Density 4.10.7End of Topic Test - Capacitance & Flux Density

5

Nuclear & Quantum Physics

5.1

Discrete Energy & Radioactivity

5.1.1Atomic Spectra 5.1.2Atomic Structure 5.1.3Photons 5.1.4Discrete Energy Levels 5.1.5Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation 5.1.6Scientific Practices - Unstable Nuclei 5.1.7Radioactive Decay 5.1.8IB Multiple Choice - Atomic Physics

5.2

Nuclear Reactions

5.2.1Mass & Energy 5.2.2Nuclear Fission

5.3

The Interaction of Matter with Radiation

5.3.1Particles, Antiparticles & Photons 5.3.2Particle Interactions 5.3.3Classification of Particles 5.3.4Wave-Particle Duality 5.3.5Wave Functions & Probability 5.3.6IB Multiple Choice - Quantum Physics

5.4

Nuclear Physics

5.4.1Nuclear Instability & Radioactive Decay 5.4.2Nuclear Radius 5.4.3IB Multiple Choice - Nuclear Physics

6

Measurements

6.1

Measurements & Errors

6.1.1Fundamental Units 6.1.2SI Prefixes, Standard Form & Converting Units 6.1.3End of Topic Test - Units & Prefixes

6.2

Uncertainties & Errors

6.2.1Limitation of Physical Measurements 6.2.2Uncertainty 6.2.3Estimation 6.2.4End of Topic Test - Measurements & Errors

6.3

Vectors & Scalars

6.3.1Scalars & Vectors 6.3.2Vector Problems

Jump to other topics

1

Space, Time & Motion

1.1

Motion

1.1.1Motion Basics 1.1.2Graphs of Motion 1.1.3Uniform Acceleration Equations 1.1.4Projectile Motion 1.1.5Bouncing Ball Example

1.2

Forces

1.2.1Friction 1.2.2Terminal Speed 1.2.3Newton's Laws 1.2.4Exam-Style Question - Forces 1.2.5End of Topic Test - Newton's Third Law

1.3

Momentum & Impulse

1.3.1Momentum 1.3.2Momentum 2 1.3.3End of Topic Test - Newton's Laws & Momentum

1.4

Work, Energy & Power

1.4.1Work & Energy 1.4.2Conservation of Energy 1.4.3Power & Efficiency 1.4.4IB Multiple Choice- Work, Energy & Power

2

The Particulate Nature of Matter

2.1

Thermal Concepts

2.1.1Molecular Kinetic Theory Model 2.1.2Molecular Kinetic Theory Model 2 2.1.3Thermal Energy Transfer 2.1.4Thermal Energy Transfer Experiments 2.1.5Thermal Equilibrium 2.1.6Thermal Conductivity 2.1.7Heat Energy Transfer

2.2

Modelling a Gas

2.2.1Ideal Gases 2.2.2Ideal Gases 2 2.2.3End of Topic Test - Thermal Energy & Ideal Gases 2.2.4Exam-Style Question - Ideal Gases

3

Wave Behaviour

3.1

Oscillations

3.1.1Progressive Waves 3.1.2Simple Harmonic Motion

3.2

Travelling Waves

3.2.1Wave Speed & Phase Difference 3.2.2Longitudinal & Transverse Waves 3.2.3Electromagnetic Waves 3.2.4Electromagnetic Waves 2 3.2.5Sound Waves

3.3

Wave Characteristics

3.3.1Polarisation

3.4

Wave Behaviour

3.4.1Reflection & Absorption 3.4.2Reflection of Light 3.4.3Refraction 3.4.4Refractive index

3.5

Standing Waves

3.5.1Standing Waves 3.5.2Standing Waves 2 3.5.3End of Topic Test - Standing Waves 3.5.4IB Multiple Choice - Waves

3.6

Simple Harmonic Motion

3.6.1Simple Harmonic Motion 3.6.2Simple Harmonic Systems 3.6.3Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion 3.6.4End of Topic Test - Simple Harmonic Motion 3.6.5End of Topic Test - Simple Harmonic Motion

3.7

Single Slit Diffraction

3.7.1Diffraction

3.8

Interference

3.8.1Interference 3.8.2Interference 2 3.8.3Diffraction Gratings 3.8.4End of Topic Test - Diffraction

3.9

Doppler Effect

3.9.1Doppler Effect

4

Fields

4.1

Circular Motion

4.1.1Circular Motion 4.1.2Centripetal Force 4.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Circular Motion

4.2

Newton's Law of Gravitation

4.2.1Newton's Law 4.2.2Orbits of Planets & Satellites 4.2.3Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits 4.2.4End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields

4.3

Fields

4.3.1Fields 4.3.2Gravitational Field Strength 4.3.3Gravitational Potential 4.3.4Electric Field Strength 4.3.5Electrostatic & Gravitational Forces 4.3.6Electric Potential 4.3.7IB Multiple Choice - Gravitational Fields

4.4

Fields at Work

4.4.1Radial Field Strength 4.4.2Orbits of Planets & Satellites 4.4.3Escape Velocity & Synchronous Orbits 4.4.4End of Topic Test - Gravitational Fields 4.4.5Uniform Electric Fields 4.4.6IB Multiple Choice - Electric Field & Potential

4.5

Electric Fields

4.5.1Electric Charge 4.5.2Conservation of Charge 4.5.3Coulomb's Law 4.5.4Current 4.5.5Potential Difference 4.5.6IB Multiple Choice - Electric Charge

4.6

Magnetic Effect of Electric Currents

4.6.1Magnetism 4.6.2Magnetic Field 4.6.3Magnetic Force 4.6.4Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field 4.6.5IB Multiple Choice - Magnetism

4.7

Heating Effect of Currents

4.7.1Circuits 4.7.2Resistance 4.7.3Power and Conservation 4.7.4IB Multiple Choice - DC Circuits

4.8

Electromagnetic Induction

4.8.1Electromagnetic Induction 4.8.2Electromagnetic Induction 2 4.8.3Magnetic Flux & Flux Linkage 4.8.4End of Topic Test - Electromagnetic Induction

4.9

Power Generation & Transmission

4.9.1Alternating Currents 4.9.2Operation of a Transformer

4.10

Capacitance

4.10.1Capacitance 4.10.2Parallel Plate Capacitor 4.10.3Energy Stored by a Capacitor 4.10.4Capacitor Discharge 4.10.5Capacitor Charge 4.10.6Magnetic Flux Density 4.10.7End of Topic Test - Capacitance & Flux Density

5

Nuclear & Quantum Physics

5.1

Discrete Energy & Radioactivity

5.1.1Atomic Spectra 5.1.2Atomic Structure 5.1.3Photons 5.1.4Discrete Energy Levels 5.1.5Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation 5.1.6Scientific Practices - Unstable Nuclei 5.1.7Radioactive Decay 5.1.8IB Multiple Choice - Atomic Physics

5.2

Nuclear Reactions

5.2.1Mass & Energy 5.2.2Nuclear Fission

5.3

The Interaction of Matter with Radiation

5.3.1Particles, Antiparticles & Photons 5.3.2Particle Interactions 5.3.3Classification of Particles 5.3.4Wave-Particle Duality 5.3.5Wave Functions & Probability 5.3.6IB Multiple Choice - Quantum Physics

5.4

Nuclear Physics

5.4.1Nuclear Instability & Radioactive Decay 5.4.2Nuclear Radius 5.4.3IB Multiple Choice - Nuclear Physics

6

Measurements

6.1

Measurements & Errors

6.1.1Fundamental Units 6.1.2SI Prefixes, Standard Form & Converting Units 6.1.3End of Topic Test - Units & Prefixes

6.2

Uncertainties & Errors

6.2.1Limitation of Physical Measurements 6.2.2Uncertainty 6.2.3Estimation 6.2.4End of Topic Test - Measurements & Errors

6.3

Vectors & Scalars

6.3.1Scalars & Vectors 6.3.2Vector Problems

Practice questions on Refractive index

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

1
Light travels at 3 x 10<sup>8</sup> m/s. If light passes through a material at 1.5 x 10<sup>8</sup> m/s, what is the material's index of refraction?Multiple choice
2
Assuming that the speed of light in air is the same as the speed of light in a vacuum, what is the index of refraction of air?Flashcard
3
If a medium has a high index of refraction, what will happen to a beam of light entering from air?True / false
4
What is the correct equation for Snell's law?Multiple choice
5
Properties of refraction:Fill in the list

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Refraction

Standing Waves