The discussion revolves around the optical phenomenon of a flint glass rod becoming nearly invisible when immersed in carbon disulfide, attributed to the matching refractive indices of the two materials. Participants are exploring the implications of this property on visibility and reflection.
The discussion is active, with participants raising fundamental questions about the nature of light interaction with materials of equal refractive index. Some guidance has been provided regarding the relationship between refractive index differences and reflection, but no consensus has been reached on the implications for visibility.
There is an emphasis on understanding the Fresnel equations and their relevance to the discussion, indicating a need for deeper exploration of the principles governing light behavior at material boundaries.
Is there any reflection at the glass surface if both substances have the same index of refraction? If it is otherwise transparent, how would you detect the presence of the glass using only light?Amith2006 said:# A rod of flint glass when immersed in carbon disulfide becomes almost invisible. It is said that it is because both have same refractive index. What I don’t understand is just because they both have same refractive index, why does it become invisible?