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Topic: Index of Refraction  (Read 1285 times)

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Offline dja01

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Index of Refraction
« on: September 09, 2019, 10:21:26 PM »
Does anyone know how the refractive index would change as a few drops of 2-propanol is added to water? To cyclohexane? I don't need a numerical value, just a yes or no answer for the lab report sheet.

Offline mjc123

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Re: Index of Refraction
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2019, 04:32:06 AM »
The RI of cyclohexane is higher than that of water. That of 2-propanol is roughly in the middle. So what do you think?

Offline dja01

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Re: Index of Refraction
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2019, 02:29:43 PM »
The RI of cyclohexane is higher than that of water. That of 2-propanol is roughly in the middle. So what do you think?
If I'm being honest, I've never encountered refractive indexes before. I'll take a shot, if the RI of 2-propanol is higher than water, then there will be a change. If the RI of cyclohexane is higher than 2 propanol, there will not be a change. Is this right?

Offline mjc123

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Re: Index of Refraction
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2019, 04:33:18 AM »
No. To a first approximation, RI follows the rule of mixtures.

Why are you doing this question if you've never encountered refractive indexes before?

Offline dja01

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Re: Index of Refraction
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2019, 02:07:41 PM »
It was the last question in our lab report. Seems like an added challenge question since we haven't really learned about it, so thats why I came here. Your initial response didn't really help my understanding, and the second response came too late, since I had unfortunately already had to turn in the report. Thanks anyway.

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