Show that the refractive index of a medium 1 with respect to medium 2 is reciprocal to the refractive index - Science - Light - Reflection and Refraction

Question

Show that the refractive index of a medium 1 with respect to medium
2 is reciprocal to the refractive index of medium 2 with respect to
1 i e n12 = 1 / n21

Neha Malcom · Accepted Answer

To prove: n12 = n21
n12 = (speed of light in medium 2) / (speed of light in
medium 1)
n12 = v1 / v2 -------(1)
n21 = (speed of light in medium 1) / (speed of light in
medium 2)
n21 = v2 / v1
v2 = n21 x v1 --------(2)
Substituting (2) in (1)
n12 = v1 / (n21 x
v1)
n12 = 1/n21
Hence proved Hope this helps! If it did, like please!

Show that the refractive index of a medium 1 with respect to medium 2 is reciprocal to the refractive index of medium 2 with respect to 1 i.e. n12 = 1 / n21