Frequency is not directly proportional to refractive index. Refractive index is actually inversely proportional to the frequency of light.
To understand this relationship, let’s first define what frequency and refractive index are. Frequency refers to the number of complete cycles of a wave that pass a given point in one second. It is usually measured in units of hertz (Hz). On the other hand, refractive index is a measure of how much a material can bend or slow down light as it passes through it. It is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in the material.
Now, according to the wave theory of light, the speed of light in a medium is given by the product of its frequency and wavelength. This relationship is described by the equation c = λf, where c is the speed of light, λ is the wavelength, and f is the frequency.
Since the speed of light in a vacuum is constant, any change in the refractive index of a material will result in a change in the speed of light and therefore a change in the wavelength. When light enters a medium with a higher refractive index, it slows down and its wavelength decreases. Conversely, when light enters a medium with a lower refractive index, it speeds up and its wavelength increases.
Now, let’s consider the relationship between refractive index and frequency. As the speed of light in a medium changes, the wavelength of light also changes, but the frequency remains constant. This is because frequency is a fundamental property of the light wave itself and does not change as it enters different materials.
By rearranging the equation c = λf, we can see that wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency: λ = c/f. Therefore, if the refractive index of a material changes, the wavelength of light will change proportionally, but the frequency will remain the same.
To illustrate this, think about how a prism separates white light into its constituent colors. Each color of light has a different wavelength and therefore a different refractive index. The longer wavelength red light is bent less by the prism and has a lower refractive index compared to the shorter wavelength blue light, which is bent more and has a higher refractive index.
Frequency is not directly proportional to refractive index. Instead, refractive index is inversely proportional to the wavelength of light.