This implies that vacuum has a refractive index of 1, and that the frequency ( f = v/ λ) of the wave is not affected by the refractive index. The refractive index can be seen as the factor by which the speed and the wavelength of the radiation are reduced with respect to their vacuum values: the speed of light in a medium is v = c/ n, and similarly the wavelength in that medium is λ = λ 0/ n, where λ 0 is the wavelength of that light in vacuum. The refractive indices also determine the amount of light that is reflected when reaching the interface, as well as the critical angle for total internal reflection, their intensity ( Fresnel's equations) and Brewster's angle. Where θ 1 and θ 2 are the angles of incidence and refraction, respectively, of a ray crossing the interface between two media with refractive indices n 1 and n 2. This is described by Snell's law of refraction, n 1 sin θ 1 = n 2 sin θ 2, The refractive index determines how much the path of light is bent, or refracted, when entering a material.
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