Why some materials have bigger refractive index than others?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the factors influencing the refractive index of materials, specifically comparing air and quartz glass. Participants explore the relationship between refractive index, dielectric constant, magnetic permeability, and molecular characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the refractive index is influenced by the dielectric constant and magnetic permeability.
  • Others suggest that the atomic and molecular structure, including bonds, play a significant role in determining the refractive index.
  • A participant mentions that the permittivity relates to how easily an electric field can polarize the molecules in a medium.
  • There is a reiteration of the idea that in optical media, the refractive index is closely tied to the electric permittivity, which is affected by atomic and molecular characteristics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express overlapping views regarding the factors affecting refractive index, but there is no consensus on the primary influences or the extent of each factor's impact.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the complexities of how different factors interact to determine refractive index, nor does it clarify the specific roles of dielectric constant and atomic structure in detail.

Physicsissuef
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why some materials have bigger refractive index than others? Let's say why air have 1.003 refractive index, and quartz glass 1.46?
 
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Physicsissuef said:
why some materials have bigger refractive index than others? Let's say why air have 1.003 refractive index, and quartz glass 1.46?

The refractive index depends upon the dielectric constant and the magnetic permeability.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refractive_index
 
John Creighto said:
The refractive index depends upon the dielectric constant and the magnetic permeability.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refractive_index

Ok, I understand something. But is it actually the atoms and molecules and their bonds?
 
The permittivity depends on how easy it is for an electric field to polarize the molecules.
 
Physicsissuef said:
Ok, I understand something. But is it actually the atoms and molecules and their bonds?
Yes. In optical media, the refractive index depends almost exclusively on the electric permittivity of the medium, which in turn depends on the characteristics of the atomic and molecular bonds within the medium.

Claude.
 

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