Question

The refractive indices of four minerals (P, Q, R, S) are as follows:
P (\(\alpha = 1.712, \beta = 1.721, \gamma = 1.727\)),
Q (\(\varepsilon = 1.553, \omega = 1.544\)),
R (\(\alpha = 1.664, \beta = 1.672, \gamma = 1.694\)) and
S (\(\omega = 1.658, \varepsilon = 1.486\))
The value of maximum birefringence among all the minerals is (give answer in three decimal places).

Hint:

Birefringence is the difference between the maximum and minimum refractive indices of a mineral.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the question.
The birefringence of a mineral is calculated as the difference between its maximum and minimum refractive indices.
Step 2: Analyzing the solution.
For each mineral, we calculate the birefringence by subtracting the minimum refractive index from the maximum refractive index: - P: \( \gamma - \alpha = 1.727 - 1.712 = 0.015 \) - Q: \( \varepsilon - \omega = 1.553 - 1.544 = 0.009 \) - R: \( \gamma - \alpha = 1.694 - 1.664 = 0.030 \) - S: \( \omega - \varepsilon = 1.658 - 1.486 = 0.172 \) The maximum birefringence is 0.183.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is 0.183.