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  1. Revision notes
  2. IGCSE
  3. Physics
  4. Cambridge International
  5. Higher
  6. Refractive Index

Refractive Index

Physics: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 3.2.6

Test yourself on Refractive Index

  • The angle of refraction is lower than the angle of incidence. What does this indicate about the material?

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Previous topic3.2.5 Refractive Index EquationNext topic3.2.7 Critical Angle

Physics: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement contents

  1. 1 Motion, Forces & Energy

    • 1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

      • 1.1.1 Measuring Length
      • 1.1.2 Measuring Volume
      • 1.1.3 Measuring Time
      • 1.1.4 Scalar & Vector Quantities
      • 1.1.5 Adding Vectors
    • 1.2 Motion

      • 1.2.1 Average Speed
      • 1.2.2 Calculating Average Speed
      • 1.2.3 Velocity
      • 1.2.4 Acceleration
      • 1.2.5 Distance-Time Graphs
      • 1.2.6 Speed-Time Graphs
      • 1.2.7 More Speed-Time Graphs
      • 1.2.8 Calculating Uniform Acceleration
      • 1.2.9 Gravity
      • 1.2.10 Free Fall - Distance-Time & Speed-Time Graphs
      • 1.2.11 Air Resistance
      • 1.2.12 Air Resistance - Graphs
      • 1.2.13 Optional: Calculating Acceleration
    • 1.3 Mass & Weight

      • 1.3.1 Mass
      • 1.3.2 Weight
      • 1.3.3 Gravity Calculations
    • 1.4 Density

      • 1.4.1 Density
      • 1.4.2 Equation for Density
      • 1.4.3 Density - Experiments
      • 1.4.4 Density - Calculations
    • 1.5 Forces: Effects of Forces

      • 1.5.1 Spring Constant
      • 1.5.2 Spring Constant Equation
      • 1.5.3 Force & Acceleration
      • 1.5.4 Friction
    • 1.6 Forces: Turning Effects of Forces

      • 1.6.1 Circular Motion
      • 1.6.2 Turning Effect
      • 1.6.3 Moments
      • 1.6.4 Calculating Moments
    • 1.7 Forces: Centre of Gravity

      • 1.7.1 Equilibrium
      • 1.7.2 Centre of Gravity
      • 1.7.3 Centre of Gravity Experiment
    • 1.8 Momentum

      • 1.8.1 Momentum
    • 1.9 Energy, Work, & Power: Energy

      • 1.9.1 Energy Changes
      • 1.9.2 Energy Conversion
      • 1.9.3 Kinetic Energy Stored
      • 1.9.4 Calculating Changes in Kinetic Energy
      • 1.9.5 Gravitational Potential Energy Stored
      • 1.9.6 Calculating Changes in GPE
      • 1.9.7 Elastic Potential Energy Stored
      • 1.9.8 Calculating Changes in EPE
    • 1.10 Energy, Work & Power: Work

      • 1.10.1 Mechanical Work
      • 1.10.2 Calculating Mechanical Work
      • 1.10.3 Calculating Electrical Work Done
    • 1.11 Energy, Work & Power: Energy Resources

      • 1.11.1 Energy Resources
      • 1.11.2 Fossil Fuels
      • 1.11.3 Geothermal Energy
      • 1.11.4 Wind Energy
      • 1.11.5 Water Energy
      • 1.11.6 Tidal Energy
      • 1.11.7 Nuclear Energy
      • 1.11.8 Solar Energy
      • 1.11.9 Original Source of Energy
      • 1.11.10 Fusion
      • 1.11.11 Efficiency
      • 1.11.12 Calculating Efficiency
      • 1.11.13 Energy Wastage
    • 1.12 Energy, Work & Power: Power

      • 1.12.1 Power
    • 1.13 Pressure

      • 1.13.1 Pressure
      • 1.13.2 Atmospheric Pressure
      • 1.13.3 Calculating Pressure
      • 1.13.4 Liquid Pressure
      • 1.13.5 Manometer
      • 1.13.6 Calculating Liquid Pressure
  2. 2 Thermal Physics

    • 2.1 Kinetic Particle Model of Matter

      • 2.1.1 Kinetic Particle Model of Matter
      • 2.1.2 States of Matter
      • 2.1.3 Properties of Gases
    • 2.2 Thermal Properties & Temperature

      • 2.2.1 Thermal Expansion
      • 2.2.2 Changes in Internal Energy
      • 2.2.3 Heat Capacities
      • 2.2.4 Heat Capacities Experiment
      • 2.2.5 Internal Energy
      • 2.2.6 Calculating Internal Energy
      • 2.2.7 End of Topic Test - Thermal Physics
      • 2.2.8 Changes of State
      • 2.2.9 Evaporation
      • 2.2.10 Factors Affecting Evaporation
      • 2.2.11 Examples of Evaporation
    • 2.3 Transfer of Thermal Energy

      • 2.3.1 Conduction
      • 2.3.2 Molecular Conduction
      • 2.3.3 Convection Currents
      • 2.3.4 Radiation
      • 2.3.5 Surface Colour
      • 2.3.6 Emitting Radiation
      • 2.3.7 Leslie's Cube & Other Radiation Experiments
      • 2.3.8 Uses of Energy Transfer
  3. 3 Waves

    • 3.1 General Properties of Waves

      • 3.1.1 Wave Basics
      • 3.1.2 Transverse Wave
      • 3.1.3 Longitudinal Wave
      • 3.1.4 Ripple Tank
      • 3.1.5 Wave Speed
      • 3.1.6 Wave Speed Formula
      • 3.1.7 Calculating Wave Speed
      • 3.1.8 Wave Frequency
      • 3.1.9 Calculating Wave Frequency
      • 3.1.10 Wavelength
      • 3.1.11 Diffraction
    • 3.2 Light: Reflection & Refraction

      • 3.2.1 Reflection
      • 3.2.2 Internal Reflection
      • 3.2.3 Refraction
      • 3.2.4 More Refraction
      • 3.2.5 Refractive Index Equation
      • 3.2.6 Refractive Index
      • 3.2.7 Critical Angle
      • 3.2.8 Optical Fibres
      • 3.2.9 Optical Fibres in Communications
      • 3.2.10 Medical Applications of Optical Fibres
    • 3.3 Light: Thin Lenses

      • 3.3.1 Thin Converging Lenses 1
      • 3.3.2 Thin Converging Lens 2
      • 3.3.3 Thin Converging Lens 3
      • 3.3.4 Thin Converging Lens 4
      • 3.3.5 Calculating Lenses
    • 3.4 Light: Dispersion of Light

      • 3.4.1 Dispersion of Light
      • 3.4.2 Triangular Prisms 1
      • 3.4.3 Triangular Prisms 2
    • 3.5 Electromagnetic Spectrum

      • 3.5.1 Properties of Electromagnetic Waves
      • 3.5.2 Gamma Rays
      • 3.5.3 X-Rays
      • 3.5.4 UV Light
      • 3.5.5 Visible Light
      • 3.5.6 Infrared Radiation
      • 3.5.7 Microwaves
      • 3.5.8 Radio Waves
      • 3.5.9 Other Uses of EM Waves
      • 3.5.10 Analogue & Digital Signals
    • 3.6 Sound

      • 3.6.1 Sound Waves
      • 3.6.2 Ears
      • 3.6.3 Speed of Sound
      • 3.6.4 Measuring Sound Waves
      • 3.6.5 Oscilloscope Traces
      • 3.6.6 Sound Waves Experiment
  4. 4 Electricity & Magnetism

    • 4.1 Simple Phenomena of Magnetism

      • 4.1.1 Magnets
      • 4.1.2 Magnetic Forces
      • 4.1.3 Magnetic Materials
      • 4.1.4 Induced Magnetism
      • 4.1.5 Temporary & Permanent Magnets
      • 4.1.6 Electromagnets
      • 4.1.7 Magnetic Field Lines
    • 4.2 Electrical Quantities: Electric Charge

      • 4.2.1 Electrical Charge
      • 4.2.2 Charged Objects
      • 4.2.3 Static Electricity Experiments
      • 4.2.4 Charging by Induction
      • 4.2.5 Electric Fields
      • 4.2.6 Electric Field Patterns
      • 4.2.7 Conductors
      • 4.2.8 Electrical Conductors - Electrons
    • 4.3 Electrical Quantities: Electric Current

      • 4.3.1 Current
      • 4.3.2 Conventional Current
      • 4.3.3 Current Equation
      • 4.3.4 Calculating Current
      • 4.3.5 AC/DC
    • 4.4 Electromotive Force & Potential Difference

      • 4.4.1 Electromotive Force
      • 4.4.2 Potential Difference
      • 4.4.3 Potential Difference Equation
      • 4.4.4 Calculating Voltage
    • 4.5 Electrical Quantities: Resistance

      • 4.5.1 Circuit Measurements
      • 4.5.2 Resistance
      • 4.5.3 Equation for Resistance
      • 4.5.4 Measuring Resistance
      • 4.5.5 Calculating Resistance & Ohm's Law
      • 4.5.6 Variable Resistance
      • 4.5.7 Resistance Graph
    • 4.6 Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

      • 4.6.1 Electrical Work
      • 4.6.2 Electrical Power
      • 4.6.3 Calculating Electrical Work
    • 4.7 Electric Circuits: Circuit Diagrams & Components

      • 4.7.1 Circuit Diagrams
      • 4.7.2 Circuit Symbols
      • 4.7.3 More Circuit Symbols
      • 4.7.4 Diodes
      • 4.7.5 LDRs & Thermistors
    • 4.8 Electric Circuits: Series & Parallel Circuits

      • 4.8.1 Series Circuits
      • 4.8.2 Series Circuits - Resistors
      • 4.8.3 Series Circuits - Cells
      • 4.8.4 Series Circuits - Potential Difference
      • 4.8.5 Calculating Series Circuits
      • 4.8.6 Parallel Circuits
      • 4.8.7 Parallel Circuits - Current
      • 4.8.8 Parallel Circuits - Resistance
      • 4.8.9 Parallel Circuits in Practice
    • 4.9 Electric Circuits: Action & Use

      • 4.9.1 Potentiometer
      • 4.9.2 Potential Divider Equation
    • 4.10 Electrical Safety

      • 4.10.1 Dangers of Electricity
      • 4.10.2 Live & Neutral Wires
      • 4.10.3 Earthing Metal Cases
      • 4.10.4 Fuses & Trip Switches
      • 4.10.5 Fuse Ratings
    • 4.11 Electromagnetic Effects: Electromagnetic Induction

      • 4.11.1 Electromagnetic Induction
      • 4.11.2 Size of e.m.f
      • 4.11.3 Forces Between Electricity & Magnets
      • 4.11.4 Rotation of Coil & Induced e.m.f
    • 4.12 Electromagnetic Effects: The A.C. Generator

      • 4.12.1 The Rotating-Coil Generator
      • 4.12.2 Features of a Rotating-Coil Generator
    • 4.13 Magnetic Effect of a Current

      • 4.13.1 Magnetic Effect of a Current
      • 4.13.2 Solenoid Field
      • 4.13.3 Relays
    • 4.14 Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

      • 4.14.1 Magnetic Field Strength
      • 4.14.2 Uses of Magnets & Currents
      • 4.14.3 Catapult Experiment
      • 4.14.4 Beam Force Experiment
    • 4.15 Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

      • 4.15.1 Motor Effect
      • 4.15.2 Direction of Motor Effect
      • 4.15.3 DC Motors
      • 4.15.4 Coil of Wire in a Magnetic Field
    • 4.16 Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

      • 4.16.1 Transformers
      • 4.16.2 Transformers Equation
      • 4.16.3 Types of Transformer
      • 4.16.4 Principles of Transformer Operation
      • 4.16.5 Energy in Transformers
  5. 5 Nuclear Physics

    • 5.1 The Nuclear Model of the Atom

      • 5.1.1 Atomic Model
      • 5.1.2 Scattering of Alpha Particles
      • 5.1.3 Subatomic Particles
      • 5.1.4 Proton & Nucleon Numbers
      • 5.1.5 Calculating Number of Neutrons
      • 5.1.6 Isotopes
      • 5.1.7 More Isotopes
      • 5.1.8 Carbon Nuclides
      • 5.1.9 Nuclear Fusion
      • 5.1.10 Nuclear Fission
      • 5.1.11 More Nuclear Fission
    • 5.2 Radioactivity: Detection of Radioactivity

      • 5.2.1 Radioactivity
      • 5.2.2 Types of Radiation
      • 5.2.3 Detection of Radioactivity
      • 5.2.4 Background Radiation
    • 5.3 Radioactivity: The Three Types of Nuclear Emission

      • 5.3.1 Three Types of Emission
      • 5.3.2 Relative Ionising Effects
      • 5.3.3 Electric Fields
      • 5.3.4 Magnetic Fields Radiation
    • 5.4 Radioactive Decay

      • 5.4.1 Radioactive Decay
      • 5.4.2 Decay Equations
      • 5.4.3 Half Life
      • 5.4.4 Measuring Half-Life
      • 5.4.5 Practical Applications of Radiation
      • 5.4.6 Ionising Radiation
      • 5.4.7 Safety Precautions
  6. 6 Space Physics

    • 6.1 The Earth & the Solar System

      • 6.1.1 The Earth
      • 6.1.2 The Moon
      • 6.1.3 The Solar System & The Accretion Model
      • 6.1.4 Gravitational Field & Speed of Light
      • 6.1.5 The Sun's Gravitational Field
    • 6.2 Stars & the Universe

      • 6.2.1 The Sun as a Star
      • 6.2.2 Galaxies
      • 6.2.3 Life Cycle of a Star like the Sun
      • 6.2.4 Life Cycle of a Star Much Bigger than the Sun
      • 6.2.5 Creation of Elements
      • 6.2.6 Red-shift
      • 6.2.7 The Big Bang
      • 6.2.8 Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
      • 6.2.9 The Hubble Constant

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