As light slows down, it bends or refracts. The index of refraction helps predict the amount of bending. How are the speed of light and the index of refraction related?

Question

Responses
A The speed of light is a constant in all materials.The speed of light is a constant in all materials.
B The index is proportional to the speed of light in the medium.The index is proportional to the speed of light in the medium.
C The index is inversely proportional to the speed of light in the medium.The index is inversely proportional to the speed of light in the medium.
D The index is proportional to the square of the speed of light in the medium.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

C The index is inversely proportional to the speed of light in the medium.

The index of refraction (n) is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum (c) to the speed of light in a medium (v):

\[ n = \frac{c}{v} \]

This shows that as the speed of light in the medium decreases, the index of refraction increases, indicating an inverse relationship.