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refractive index

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | Copyright

refractive index (symbol n) A measure of the refractive power of a transparent medium such as glass. Mathematically, the refractive index is the ratio of the sines of the angles of incidence and refraction as light passes into the medium. These angles are measured from the normal (a line at right angles to the edge of the medium). The angle of incidence, at which the light enters the medium, is greater than the angle of refraction, at which it travels through the medium. A typical refractive index for glass is about 1.5.

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refractive index

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

refractive index (n) When light travels from air into a substance its velocity is reduced. The light path is also refracted into the substance, and the relationship between the angle of incidence (i) and the angle of refraction (r) is a constant (Snell's law). This constant (n) is the refractive index of the mineral and is determined by: sin i/sin r = n. The refractive index is also the ratio of the velocity of light in air (V) to the velocity of light in the mineral (v): n = V/v.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "refractive index." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "refractive index." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-refractiveindex.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "refractive index." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-refractiveindex.html

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refractive index

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition | 2005 | | Copyright

refractive index Measure of the bending or refraction of a beam of light on entering a denser medium (the ratio between the sine of the angle of incidence of the ray of light and the sine of the angle of refraction). It is constant for pure substances under standard conditions. Used as a measure of sugar or total solids in solution, purity of oils, etc.

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DAVID A. BENDER. "refractive index." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "refractive index." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-refractiveindex.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "refractive index." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-refractiveindex.html

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