The refractive index of a medium is determined by the ratio of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Refractive index is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a medium. This means that the refractive index is determined by the velocity of light in a vacuum (which is a constant) and the velocity of light in a specific medium. So, option D is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect because while frequency affects the refractive index, it is not directly proportional to it. Option B is also incorrect as it compares the frequency of light in vacuum and medium, which does not affect the refractive index. Option C is related to Snell's law which involves the angles of incidence and refraction, and not the refractive index. Option E is also incorrect as density is not related to the refractive index.

The Refractive Index of a Medium Is Determined by the Ratio