The refractive index is maximum for violet light.
Understanding Refractive Index and Color
The refractive index of a material is a measure of how much the speed of light is reduced when it passes through that material. This property is not constant for all types of light; rather, it depends significantly on the wavelength of the light. This phenomenon is known as dispersion.
According to the provided reference, the refractive index depends upon the wavelength of light. Light with the least wavelength is refracted the most, and it exhibits the maximum refractive index. Conversely, light with the maximum wavelength is refracted the least and has the lowest refractive index.
Color and Wavelength Relationship
The different colors of visible light correspond to different wavelengths. In the visible spectrum, violet light has the shortest wavelength, while red light has the longest wavelength.
- Violet: Shortest wavelength
- Red: Longest wavelength
The reference explicitly states: "Light with the least wavelength is refracted the most (violet - maximum refractive index while the light with the maximum wavelength is refracted the least (red - least refractive index)."
Refractive Index Comparison
Based on this relationship between wavelength, refraction, and refractive index:
- Violet light, having the least wavelength, is refracted the most and thus has the maximum refractive index.
- Red light, having the maximum wavelength, is refracted the least and thus has the least refractive index.
Here is a summary based on the relative values mentioned in the reference:
| Color | Wavelength (Relative) | Refraction (Relative) | Refractive Index (Relative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violet | Least | Most | Maximum |
| Red | Maximum | Least | Least |
This is why when white light passes through a prism, it separates into its constituent colors – a spectrum. The violet light bends the most, and the red light bends the least, due to the difference in their refractive indices within the prism material.
