It is because the index is related to the velocity of light in air (ideally vacuum) and the medium in question. Since the velocity of light in vacuum is greater than it can be in any other media, the index of refraction of these other media relative to the vacuum is greater than 1.
However, if you studied light travelling through glass and then water, the index of refraction between those two would be 0.89 (approx).
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The refractive index of any substance is(speed of light in vacuum)/(speed of light in that substance) .The number is greater than ' 1 ' in any material medium.
numbers greater than one!
Yes, one-fourth is greater than one-eighth
Yes, three tenths is greater than one third.
One third is greater than two fifths.