Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Physics · key term
A measure of how strongly a material slows and refracts light; a higher refractive index means that light travels more slowly in the material.
Used by Edexcel
Specification 5.1P · Paper 1
Revise: Ray Diagrams and TIRA material with a higher refractive index slows light more and is described as optically denser. Optical density concerns the behaviour of light; it is not necessarily the same as mass density.
For total internal reflection, state both conditions: light travels from a higher refractive index to a lower refractive index, and the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle.
Create a free account to read GCSE Physics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.