GENERAL GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Materials whose refractive index not depend on the direction that the light travels are called isotropic materials. In these materials the velocity of light does not depend on the direction that the light travels. Isotropic materials have a single, constant refractive index for each wavelength.

Detailed explanation-2: -The refractive index (n) of an isotropic substance is the ratio of the speed of light in air to that in the substance. It may also be expressed in terms of the angle of incidence (i) and refraction (r) of a ray of light passing from air obliquely into the substance (Fig. 1); thus, n = sin i / sin r.

Detailed explanation-3: -Isotropic materials are materials whose properties remain the same when tested in different directions. Isotropic materials differ from anisotropic materials, which display varying properties when tested in different directions. Common isotropic materials include glass, plastics, and metals.

Detailed explanation-4: -Isotropic refers to the properties of a material which is independent of the direction whereas anisotropic is direction-dependent. These two terms are used to explain the properties of the material in basic crystallography.

Detailed explanation-5: -The refractive index of an anisotropic medium varies as =0√x+1, where 0≤x≤a. A ray of light is incident at the origin just along the y-axis (shown in figure).