Calculate the index of refraction for a diamond (v=1.25 x 108 m/s)

Question

Calculate the index of refraction for a diamond (v=1.25 x 10⁸ m/s)

Answer 1

The index of refraction is a ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in the material. Since the speed of light in a vacuum is the maximum speed limit, the index of refraction is going to be greater than 1. The speed of light in a diamond is given as 1.25 x 10⁸ m/s. The speed of light in a vacuum is 3.00 x 10⁸ m/s. Plugging these values in we have n = (3.00 x 10⁸)/(1.25 x 10⁸) = 2.4.