Sarah,

Yes, it does and you should measure it. If it is just salt solutions,
some are tabulated in various CRC Volumes. RI is directly related to
the dielectric constant of the media. The mole fraction,
polarizability of the solute, degree of hydration all play a part.

E-mail me for more details.




>Hi everybody-
>Does the refractive index of water also change when you have things
>dissolved in
>it?  For example, distilled water versus a buffer.  I suspect that
>it does.  Just
>another thing to take into account.  Is there a way to calculate it
>based on the
>molarity of the solution, or does it have to be measured?
>Thanks-
>Sarah
>---------------------------------------------
>Sarah Locknar, Ph.D.
>Confocal Microscopy Coordinator
>Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
>University of Vermont
>802-656-0413
>---------------------------------------------


Mario M. Moronne, Ph.D.
NanoMed Technologies, Inc.
1561 Posen Ave
Berkeley, CA
94706