The index of refraction of Ruby is less than the index of refraction of diamond. Why?
Effective index of a medium does not depend upon the angle of incidence. It depends upon the nature of the medium. Refractive index of a medium may also be defined as the ratio of the speed of light. The speed of light in vacuum is almost equal to the speed of light in air, therefore, we use the speed of light in air instead of speed of light in vacuum, calculating the refractive index of a medium. For example, city of light in water is 2.26 x 10⁸ m/s, yes it is 3 x 10⁸ m/s in air, so
Refractive index of diamond = speed of light in air divided by speed of light in diamond
Regards: Abdul Rafay from Pakistan, Karachi...
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The refractive index of a material determines how much the speed of light is reduced when it passes through that material, compared to its speed in a vacuum. In the case of Ruby and diamond, the index of refraction of Ruby is less than that of diamond. This means that light travels faster through Ruby compared to Diamond.
The reason for this difference is rooted in the atomic structure and arrangement of the molecules in each material. Ruby is a type of crystal in which the atoms are arranged in a specific pattern. Diamond, on the other hand, has a distinct crystal structure known as a diamond lattice. This crystal lattice causes diamond to have a higher refractive index compared to Ruby.
To determine the exact values of the refractive index for Ruby and diamond, you would typically refer to a scientific reference or database. These references compile experimental data that has been measured for various materials at different wavelengths of light. By looking up the specific refractive index values for Ruby and diamond, you would be able to compare them and confirm that the index of refraction of Ruby is indeed less than that of diamond.