What is the difference between absolute refractive index and relative refractive index?

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The absolute refractive index and the relative refractive index are two different measures of the refractive properties of a material.

Absolute Refractive Index

The absolute refractive index, also known as the refractive index, is a measure of how much a material slows down light as it passes through it.

It is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in the material.
The absolute refractive index is denoted by the symbol "n", and it is a unitless quantity.
The absolute refractive index is a fundamental property of a material, and it depends on the chemical composition and physical structure of the material.

$absolute and relative refractive index$

Relative Refractive Index

The relative refractive index, on the other hand, is a measure of the difference in refractive index between two materials.

It is defined as the ratio of the absolute refractive index of one material to the absolute refractive index of another material.
The relative refractive index is denoted by the symbol "n", and it is a unitless quantity.
The relative refractive index is used to compare the refractive properties of different materials, and it is often used in optics and materials science.

In summary, the absolute refractive index is a measure of how much a material slows down light, while the relative refractive index is a measure of the difference in refractive index between two materials.

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CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.
A current of $4.0\,\text{A}$ flows through a wire of length $1\,\text{m}$ and cross-sectional area $1.0\,\text{mm}^2$, when a potential difference of $2\,\text{V}$ is applied across its ends. Calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.

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In a region, the electric potential varies as $V = 10 - 50x$, where $V$ is in volts and $x$ is in meters. The electric field in the region is

$10\ \text{N/C}$ along $+x$
$10\ \text{N/C}$ along $-x$
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A wire of length $L$ is bent round into (i) a square coil having $N$ turns and (ii) a circular coil having $N$ turns. The coil in both cases is free to turn about a vertical axis coinciding with the plane of the coil, in a uniform, horizontal magnetic field and carry the same currents. Find the ratio of the maximum value of the torque acting on the square coil to that on the circular coil.

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Two point charges -Q and Q are located at points (d, 0) and (0, d) respectively, in x-y plane. The electric field E at the origin will be:

$\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{\sqrt{2}Q}{d^2} (\hat{i} - \hat{j})$
$\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{\sqrt{2}Q}{d^2} (-\hat{i} - \hat{j})$
$\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{Q}{d^2} (\hat{i} - \hat{j})$
$\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{Q}{d^2} (-\hat{i} - \hat{j})$

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Draw the plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.

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What is the difference between absolute refractive index and relative refractive index?

Absolute Refractive Index

Relative Refractive Index

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.
A current of \(4.0\,\text{A}\) flows through a wire of length \(1\,\text{m}\) and cross-sectional area \(1.0\,\text{mm}^2\), when a potential difference of \(2\,\text{V}\) is applied across its ends. Calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.

2.
In a region, the electric potential varies as \(V = 10 - 50x\), where \(V\) is in volts and \(x\) is in meters. The electric field in the region is

4.
Two point charges -Q and Q are located at points (d, 0) and (0, d) respectively, in x-y plane. The electric field E at the origin will be:

5.
Draw the plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.

6.
The number of free electrons per unit volume ($\text{m}^3$) in a wire made of copper (resistivity $1.72 \times 10^{-8}\,\Omega\,\text{m}$) is $8.5 \times 10^{28}$. Calculate the average number of collisions made by an electron in one second when an electric field is maintained in the wire.

Similar Physics Concepts

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What is the difference between absolute refractive index and relative refractive index?

Absolute Refractive Index

Relative Refractive Index

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.A current of \(4.0\,\text{A}\) flows through a wire of length \(1\,\text{m}\) and cross-sectional area \(1.0\,\text{mm}^2\), when a potential difference of \(2\,\text{V}\) is applied across its ends. Calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.

2.In a region, the electric potential varies as \(V = 10 - 50x\), where \(V\) is in volts and \(x\) is in meters. The electric field in the region is

4.Two point charges -Q and Q are located at points (d, 0) and (0, d) respectively, in x-y plane. The electric field E at the origin will be:

5.Draw the plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.

6.The number of free electrons per unit volume ($\text{m}^3$) in a wire made of copper (resistivity $1.72 \times 10^{-8}\,\Omega\,\text{m}$) is $8.5 \times 10^{28}$. Calculate the average number of collisions made by an electron in one second when an electric field is maintained in the wire.

Similar Physics Concepts

Comments

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER

1.
A current of \(4.0\,\text{A}\) flows through a wire of length \(1\,\text{m}\) and cross-sectional area \(1.0\,\text{mm}^2\), when a potential difference of \(2\,\text{V}\) is applied across its ends. Calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.

2.
In a region, the electric potential varies as \(V = 10 - 50x\), where \(V\) is in volts and \(x\) is in meters. The electric field in the region is

4.
Two point charges -Q and Q are located at points (d, 0) and (0, d) respectively, in x-y plane. The electric field E at the origin will be:

5.
Draw the plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.

6.
The number of free electrons per unit volume ($\text{m}^3$) in a wire made of copper (resistivity $1.72 \times 10^{-8}\,\Omega\,\text{m}$) is $8.5 \times 10^{28}$. Calculate the average number of collisions made by an electron in one second when an electric field is maintained in the wire.