Refraktiokertoin

Refraktiokertoin, also known as the index of refraction, is a dimensionless number that describes how light or other electromagnetic radiation propagates through a medium. It is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in that medium. The symbol commonly used for the index of refraction is 'n'.

A vacuum has an index of refraction of exactly 1. All other transparent materials have an index of refraction greater than 1. For example, water has an index of refraction of approximately 1.33, and glass typically has an index of refraction around 1.5. Denser materials generally have higher indices of refraction, meaning light travels slower through them.

The refractive index is responsible for the phenomenon of refraction, which is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. This bending occurs because the speed of light changes as it enters a new medium. The greater the difference in refractive indices between two media, the more pronounced the bending of light will be. This property is fundamental to the design of lenses, prisms, and optical instruments. Additionally, the refractive index can vary with the wavelength of light, leading to dispersion, where different colors of light are refracted at slightly different angles, as seen in a rainbow.