Index of Refraction and Speed of Light

Vocabulary flashcards covering indices of refraction and light speeds across different media from the lecture.

Diamond

A medium with an index of refraction $n = 2.42$ and speed of light $v = 1.25 \times 10^8\,\text{m/s}$.

Alcohol

A medium with an index of refraction $n = 1.36$ and speed of light $v = 2.21 \times 10^8\,\text{m/s}$.

Glass

A medium with an approximate index of refraction $n \approx 1.50$ and approximate speed of light $v \approx 2.00 \times 10^8\,\text{m/s}$.

Water

A medium with an index of refraction $n = 1.33$ and speed of light $v = 2.25 \times 10^8\,\text{m/s}$.

Ice

A medium with an index of refraction $n = 1.31$ and speed of light $v = 2.30 \times 10^8\,\text{m/s}$.

Air

A medium with an approximate index of refraction $n \approx 1.0$ and approximate speed of light $v \approx 3.0 \times 10^8\,\text{m/s}$.

Speed of Light ($v\,\text{in m/s}$)

The velocity $v$ at which light travels through a medium, measured in $\text{m/s}$.