How is the index of refraction related to the speed of light?

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answers:
Andrew Smith say: The index of refraction is inversely proportional to the speed of light IN THAT MEDIUM.
By definition the index of refraction of a vacuum is 1.

Therefore the absolute index of refraction of any material is c/v where c is the speed of light in a vacuum and v is the speed of light in the material.

Note that as different frequencies can have different speeds in the material there may be multiple indexes of refraction for many materials. ( dispersion ).
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Zirp say: completely. Refraction is a consequence of the difference in speed
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sojsail say: The index of refraction of a medium is n = c/v where c is the speed of light in a vacuum and v is the speed of light in the medium (water, glass etc.)
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alex say: the index of refraction n, is the relation between the speed of light in a vacuum c , and the speed of light in a substance v
n = c/v
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qrrvy say: wuywqyeu
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lzwes say: tvvigkbo
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