Refractive Index
This is the ratio of the velocity of light in free space to that in the material.
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| Acetaldehyde | 1.3311 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Acetic Acid | 1.3718 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Acetic Anhydride | 1.3904 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Acetone | 1.362 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Acetonitrile | 1.3415 at 298K | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Acetophenone | 1.53423 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Acetyl Chloride | 1.3898 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Allyl Alcohol | 1.4135 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Aniline | 1.5862 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Anisole | 1.517 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Argon | 1.000281 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Benzene | 1.5011 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Bromine | 1.001132 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Carbon | 2.417 diamond | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Carbon Disulphide | 1.6276 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 1.4607 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Chlorine | 1.000773 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Chloroform | 1.4467 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Diamond | 2.4175 to 2.4178 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Fused Silica | 1.458 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Glycerol | 1.473 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Helium | 1.000036 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Hydrogen | 1.000132 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Mercury Hg | 1.73 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Methyl Alcohol | 1.3276 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Nitrobenzene | 1.553 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Nitrogen | 1.000297 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Olive Oil | 1.48 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Oxygen | 1.001711 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Paraffin Oil | 1.43 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Phenol | 1.5425 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Sea Water | 1.343 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Sodium Chloride | 1.544 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Sodium Silicate | 1.52 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Toluene | 1.4969 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Turpentine | 1.48 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
| Water | 1.333 | at 589.3nm 101.3kPa 0°C | Clip |
paste all data into clipboard- Measurement of Refractive Index
- Using a short focus travelling microscope, focus on a mark on a white surface.
- Microscope set to focus on mark on surface. Distance recorded as Z1.
- Place the material to be measured over the mark and re-focus on the image of the mark.
- Place the material to be measured over the mark and re-focus on the image of the mark.
- Microscope set to focus on image of the mark on surface. Distance recorded as Z2.
- Then place a mark on the top surface of the material (eg use lycopodium powder) and focus on this.
- Then place a mark on the top surface of the material (eg use lycopodium powder) and focus on this.
- Microscope set to focus on top surface of the material. Distance recorded as Z3.
- The refractive index, n is then calculated using these recorded distances:
See also: Abbe Number, Abbe Refractometer, Refraction, Total Internal Reflection.
