Why does refractivity not depend on density; Lorentz-Lorenz

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The discussion clarifies that the refractive index of a medium does not depend on density, as stated in the Lorentz-Lorenz formula (LL). The formula, represented as (\frac{n^2-1}{n^2+2}) = \frac{4\pi Ne^2}{ 3m} \frac{1}{\omega_0^2 \omega^2}, indicates that while density (ρ) is related to the number of molecules (N), the specific refractivity (r) defined as r =(\frac{n^2-1}{n^2+2}) \frac{1}{\rho} remains independent of density. This distinction is crucial for understanding the behavior of light in different media.

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Soren
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I must be stupid but my textbook states that the refractive index of a media does not depend on the density according to the Lorentz-Lorenz formula (LL)
[tex](\frac{n^2-1}{n^2+2}) = \frac{4\pi Ne^2}{ 3m} \frac{1}{\omega_0^2 \omega^2}[/tex]
Specifically it (Physical Optics, Akhmanov Nikitin pp.367) says: ".. since ρ ~ N, it follows from (LL formula) that the quantity
[tex]r =(\frac{n^2-1}{n^2+2}) \frac{1}{\rho}[/tex]
should not depend on density"
Are they simply telling me that ρ appears on both sides of the equation?
 
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They don't say that the index of refraction does not depend on density. At least not in the quote you give.
That "r" is not the index of refraction.
 
no you are right, r is called the specific refractivity of the substance. I suppose that is what they are trying to tell me, that specific refractivity (r) does not depend on density, whereas the refractive index of a substance does.
 
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