Jump to content

Talk:Refractive index: Difference between revisions

Page contents not supported in other languages.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m Archiving 1 discussion(s) to Talk:Refractive index/Archive 2) (bot
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Line 38: Line 38:
This language may be a bit ambiguous, as there are two interpretations: the speed of light in water may be (c÷1.333) or (c - 1.333×c).
This language may be a bit ambiguous, as there are two interpretations: the speed of light in water may be (c÷1.333) or (c - 1.333×c).
Maybe, it could say, "the speed of light in a vacuum is 1.333 times that in water"? [[User:Ethan Lestat|Ethan Lestat]] ([[User talk:Ethan Lestat|talk]]) 15:14, 30 November 2020 (UTC)
Maybe, it could say, "the speed of light in a vacuum is 1.333 times that in water"? [[User:Ethan Lestat|Ethan Lestat]] ([[User talk:Ethan Lestat|talk]]) 15:14, 30 November 2020 (UTC)

== "how fast light travels" vs "how slowly light travels" ==

In the introduction, I noticed the refractive index is explained to be "how fast light travels" through a material. And yet, as the refractive index of a material increases, the speed of light in the corresponding material decreases.

Is it then clearer to explain that refractive index is "how slowly light travels" through a material? Put another way, the more refractive index a material has, the slower light passes through it - so can it be interpreted that refractive index measures slowness?

[[Special:Contributions/2601:80:C97F:EFD0:C901:84BE:3D6A:D71D|2601:80:C97F:EFD0:C901:84BE:3D6A:D71D]] ([[User talk:2601:80:C97F:EFD0:C901:84BE:3D6A:D71D|talk]]) 06:54, 23 December 2021 (UTC)

Revision as of 06:54, 23 December 2021

Template:Vital article

Formulas in "Relative permittivity and permeability" section

The first section gives the conventional formula for magnetic materials. There is no comment on whether this formula can be directly used with complex values or if it needs to be modified.

After this the text relapses to discussing permittivity only. Here complex values seem to be applied directly to the standard formulas. Putting this section in the complex refractivity index may be more appropriate.

After this section some root expressions appear. They do not seem to be in agreement with the application of complex values and need to be questioned.150.227.15.253 (talk) 19:16, 8 December 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Dependence on temperature of this quantity

Is this quantity influenced by temperature variations or not?--5.2.200.163 (talk) 15:28, 20 July 2018 (UTC)[reply]

A possible error in language used when explaining the basic concept

In an example of water used to demonstrate the formula used to calculate the refractive index n=c/v, it says: water has refractive index 1.33, which indicates speed of light in vacuum is 1.33 times 'more than' that in glass. This is a linguistic error since '1.33 times more than' implies 1+1.33 times in the common case. 戴谨承 (talk) 02:01, 25 March 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Another possible error in language when explaining the basic concept

The article says, "the refractive index of water is 1.333, meaning that light travels 1.333 times slower in water than in a vacuum. This language may be a bit ambiguous, as there are two interpretations: the speed of light in water may be (c÷1.333) or (c - 1.333×c). Maybe, it could say, "the speed of light in a vacuum is 1.333 times that in water"? Ethan Lestat (talk) 15:14, 30 November 2020 (UTC)[reply]

"how fast light travels" vs "how slowly light travels"

In the introduction, I noticed the refractive index is explained to be "how fast light travels" through a material. And yet, as the refractive index of a material increases, the speed of light in the corresponding material decreases.

Is it then clearer to explain that refractive index is "how slowly light travels" through a material? Put another way, the more refractive index a material has, the slower light passes through it - so can it be interpreted that refractive index measures slowness?

2601:80:C97F:EFD0:C901:84BE:3D6A:D71D (talk) 06:54, 23 December 2021 (UTC)[reply]