Refractive Index of Glass

The refractive index of glass describes how much light slows down and bends when it passes through the material compared to traveling in air. For example, if glass has a refractive index of around 1.5, light moves about 1.5 times slower inside it than in air. This property explains how lenses focus light, creating clear images. Different types of glass have slightly different refractive indices, affecting their optical properties and how they are used in products like eyeglasses, cameras, and microscopes. Understanding this helps in designing and choosing the right glass for specific optical needs.