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Isotropic
Title
Isotropic
Subject
The speed of light through any medium is inversely proportional to the refractive index of the medium. The refractive index of a mineral is determined by the arrangement and type of atoms within its structure.
If the structure of the mineral allows light to travel at the same velocity through the mineral in all orientations, the mineral is isotropic. That is to say, it has the same refractive index in all directions. Under cross-polarised light isotropic minerals always appear black. Garnet is an isotropic mineral
Description
Compare with anisotropic.
Collection
Citation
“Isotropic,” 1A Collections, accessed April 9, 2024, https://wserv3.esc.cam.ac.uk/p1acollections/items/show/213.