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The ratio of speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in a medium is called the _______ of the medium.
Frequency
Wavelength
Refractive index
Amplitude
None of the above
Refractive index
The correct answer is Refractive index . Key Points The refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in that medium. It is a dimensionless quantity and symbolized by "n". The mathemat...
The correct answer is Refractive index..
It is a fundamental property of waves, including light waves, but it does not define the speed of light in a medium.
The frequency of light remains constant when it enters a different medium, even though its speed and wavelength may change.
Wavelength
Wavelength is the distance between two successive crests or troughs of a wave.
It is inversely proportional to the frequency of the wave and directly influenced by the speed of the wave in a medium.
When light enters a medium, its wavelength changes, but the refractive index is determined by the speed, not the wavelength.
Amplitude
Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position.
It is associated with the intensity or brightness of light but does not influence the refractive index of a medium.
The refractive index depends solely on the speed of light in the medium and not on its amplitude.