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What defines the index of refraction?

Answer:
The index of refraction of a substance is

(speed of electromagnetic wave in vacuum) / (speed of electromagnetic wave in the substance).

Since the index is the ratio of two speeds, it has no units, and it's just a dimensionless number.
First answer by Alcohen2006. Last edit by Alcohen2006. Contributor trust: 1143 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 0 [recommend question].

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