PhysRefPhysics reference
Optics
Optics

Refractive Index

n=cvn = \frac{c}{v}

The refractive index is the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to its speed in the medium.

Variables

n
Refractive index
unitless
c
Speed of light in vacuum
m/s
v
Speed of light in medium
m/s

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Common questions

What is the Refractive Index formula?

Refractive Index is written n = c/v. The refractive index is the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to its speed in the medium. It belongs to Optics, under Refraction.

What are the units in n = c/v?

In SI units, n is refractive index (dimensionless); c is speed of light in vacuum, measured in m/s; v is speed of light in medium, measured in m/s.