Refractive Index by Pressure/Temperature

In summary, the refractive index of H2 under the given conditions (P = 101325 Pa, T = 273.15 K) is 1.0001594. The refractive index is directly proportional to pressure, with half the pressure resulting in half the refractive index, but only at constant temperature. In liquids, the refractive index thermal gradient is around 0.000045 / K, but this does not apply to gases. The ideal gas equation (PV = nRT) can be used to calculate the molar concentration of a gas, with the refractive index being proportional to the concentration. At extremely low molar concentrations, the melting point of H2 is below 2.7 K, and at
  • #1
kinogram
24
0
The refractive index of H2 = 1.0001594

under the following conditions :

P = 101325 Pa
T = 273.15 K


I cannot find any source for the refractive index of gases under any other conditions


3 Questions :

a. What is the pressure gradient for the refractive index?

b. What is the thermal gradient for the refractive index?

c. Is there a formula for calculating the refractive index based on the Individual Gas Constant?


Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Sounds like a thread apt for the homework forum.
 
  • #3
It's an engineering problem - in need of a solution


The refractive index should be directly proportional to pressure
where half the pressure = half the refractive index


In liquids, I believe the refractive index thermal gradient is around 0.000045 / K
where the refractive index (and density) increases as temperature decreases,
but I don't think this gradient applies to gases.


I found the equation for refractive index below :
 

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  • #4
kinogram said:
The refractive index should be directly proportional to pressure
where half the pressure = half the refractive index
Only at constant temperature. In a gas, the refractive index is proportional to the concentration of the gas.
Do you know a relationship between concentration and p and T for dilute gasses?
 
  • #5
Only at constant temperature. In a gas, the refractive index is proportional to the concentration of the gas.
Do you know a relationship between concentration and p and T for dilute gasses?

I assume you mean the molar concentration per m³

calculated through the ideal gas equation.

[itex]PV = nRT[/itex]


For example, we take the refractive index of H2 at 101325 Pa and 273.15 K
which = 1.0001594

The individual gas constant for H2 = 4124 J / kg K

Therefore, using the ideal gas equation, 1 m² of H2 at 101325 Pa and 273.15 K
has a concentration of 0.089949 mol

multiplying the molar concentration by the Avogadro constant - 6.02214129 x 1023

we have a density of 5416861 x 1022 H2 molecules / m³



with the temperature remaining constant, if we reduce the pressure by 2.0265 x 10-22

at 5 x 10-18 Pa and 273.15 K

the refractive index of H2 then = 4.9354 x 10-23


again, using the ideal gas equation, 1 m² of H2 at 5 x 10-18 Pa and 273.15 K
has a concentration of 4.43864225 x 10-24 mol



multiplying the molar concentration by the Avogadro constant

we now have a density of H2 = 2 (.673) molecules / m³


So, we now have an H2 concentration of 4.43864225 x 10-24 mol / m³

and a refractive index of 4.9354 x 10-23


so, if we multiply 2.673 by the temperature difference between 273.15 K and 2.7 K (101.166..)

we have a molar concentration of 4.483455 x 10-22

and a density of 270 H2 molecules per m³




the refractive index increases as temperature decreases
how then do we calculate the refractive index of H2 at 2.7 K ?

.
 
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  • #6
Huh, you said nothing about being interested in 2.7 K and extremely low pressures. What's this, interstellar vacuum?
Maybe you could explain in more detail what you are really trying to do.
 
  • #7
Huh, you said nothing about being interested in 2.7 K and extremely low pressures.
What's this, interstellar vacuum?
Maybe you could explain in more detail what you are really trying to do.

I'm trying to calculate the refractive index of molecular hydrogen (H2) at a given temperature

for example 1% of the 273.15 K baseline temperature = 2.7 K

or we can take 10% of 273.15 K, 27 K as an example.The melting point of H2 is typically listed as 13.95 K
however the concentration at this melting point is not specified.

The melting point of H2 increases with concentration.

Melting and boiling points are a function of the intermolecular forces (van der Waals forces).

For molecular H2 the only intermolecular forces are London dispersion forces,
and London dispersion forces depend on the polarizability of the molecule.

The greater the number of electrons per volume
the greater the strength of the London dispersion forces.

So, at an extremely low molar concentration of 4.483455 x 10-22 mol / m³
the melting point should be below 2.7 K

In fact below a critical concentration, H2 as a solid should not even be possible.However, to simplify the problem, we can take 27 K as a temperature

and a molar concentration of 4.49 x 10-23 mol / m³
is there an equation for calculating the refractive index based on concentration alone?.
 
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  • #8
actually, the real question is..

does anyone here know the equation for calculating refractive index based on molar comcentration?
.
 
  • #9
So, I finally got my answer from a chemist :

The temperature is irrelevant to a specific quantitative concentration.

Concentration itself is a coefficient of temperature and pressure,
however once the concentration is defined - that's all we need to know.
we can pack up the tents and go home.

The refractive index of H2 at a molar concentration of 4.483455 x 10-22 mol / m³ = 4.9354 x 10-23





.
 
  • #10
No, the refractive index will be very nearly 1. If the index 1 specifies the standard state and the index 2 the actual state you are interested in then:
##(n_2-1)/(n_1-1)=(p_2T_1)/(p_1T_2)##
 
  • #11
No, the refractive index will be very nearly 1. If the index 1 specifies the standard state and the index 2 the actual state you are interested in then:
[itex](n2−1)/(n1−1)=(p2/T1)/(p1T2/)[/itex]


Let's check..

p1 = 101325
p2 = 5 x 10-18

T1 = 273.15
T2 = 2.7

(p2T1) = 0.00000000000000136575
(p1T2) = 273577.5


(p2T1) / (p1T2) = 4.992186857471831565 x 10-21



it doesn't quite add up to 1

but the result is 101.15060293941385835182181384441 x the previous result

and if we multiply T2 by this factor we have 273.1066

which would suggest that we are simply multiplying the previous result by (T1/T2)











.
 
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  • #12
kinogram said:
it doesn't quite add up to 1.

I don't see why it should. Seriously, I gave you a complete formula simply enough to calculate your index of refraction. Solving for n2 should be no problem for someone who wants to do an engineering project with hydrogen at 2.7 K.
 
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  • #13
I don't see why it should. Seriously, I gave you a complete formula simply enough to calculate your index of refraction.
Of course, I was only responding to your previous reply

No, the refractive index will be very nearly 1
I assumed you meant that the refractive index should be very nearly 1

in order to achieve a target refractive index, we first reduce the pressure at a constant temperature
until we reach the target, then we reduce the temperature to T2,
which increases the refractive index so we compensate by reducing the pressure again - using the equation
remaining at T2, and we end up with the target refractive index and temperature.

simpleYour equation is exactly what I needed.. Thanks!
 
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1. What is refractive index by pressure/temperature?

Refractive index by pressure/temperature is a measurement that describes how light bends as it passes through a substance under specific pressure and temperature conditions. It is also known as the refractive index of a material.

2. How is refractive index by pressure/temperature measured?

Refractive index by pressure/temperature is typically measured using a refractometer, which measures the angle of refraction as light passes through a substance. This angle is then compared to the angle of refraction of light passing through a vacuum to calculate the refractive index.

3. What factors affect refractive index by pressure/temperature?

The refractive index of a material can be affected by a variety of factors, including temperature, pressure, and the chemical composition of the substance. Changes in any of these factors can alter the speed at which light travels through the material, resulting in a different refractive index.

4. Why is refractive index by pressure/temperature important in scientific research?

Refractive index by pressure/temperature is an important measurement in scientific research because it can provide valuable information about a substance's physical and chemical properties. It is commonly used in fields such as optics, materials science, and chemistry to determine the composition and purity of a substance.

5. Can refractive index by pressure/temperature be used to identify unknown substances?

Yes, refractive index by pressure/temperature can be used as a tool for identifying unknown substances. By comparing the measured refractive index of an unknown substance to a database of known substances, scientists can determine the composition of the unknown substance. However, other tests and analyses may also be necessary to confirm the identity of the substance.

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