relative index of refraction
noun Optics.
See under index of refraction.
Words nearby relative index of refraction
relative density,
relative deprivation,
relative frequency,
relative humidity,
relative impediment,
relative index of refraction,
relative leukocytosis,
relative major,
relative majority,
relative maximum,
relative minimum
Definition for relative index of refraction (2 of 2)
index of refraction
noun Optics.
a number indicating the speed of light in a given medium as either the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to that in the given medium (absolute index of refraction) or the ratio of the speed of light in a specified medium to that in the given medium (relative index of refraction). Symbol: n
Also called
index,
refractive index.
Origin of index of refraction
First recorded in 1820–30
British Dictionary definitions for relative index of refraction
Scientific definitions for relative index of refraction
index of refraction
A measure of the extent to which a substance slows down light waves passing through it. The index of refraction of a substance is equal to the ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to its speed in that substance. Its value determines the extent to which light is refracted when entering or leaving the substance.