Total internal reflection zero

In summary, when light travels through different mediums, such as air and water, it can change direction and lose energy through a process called refraction. However, in the case of total internal reflection, all of the energy is reflected back and none is lost. This is because Snells Law dictates that the angle of refraction cannot be greater than 1, causing the light to be completely reflected. This is what causes water to appear to sparkle and for bubbles to exhibit total internal reflection.
  • #1
kimmy510
8
0
How is that in refraction of light energy is lost but not in case of total internal reflection?
Is the loss in total internal reflection exactly zero?
 
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  • #2
Energy is never lost.

In refraction some of the light is reflected and some transmitted. If you only measure the transmitted light, you would measure an energy loss.

In total internal reflection you are measuring the reflected light, which is equal to the total incident energy.
 
  • #3
why is that in refraction both refraction and reflection takes place but in case of total internal reflaction only reflection takes place but not refraction?
 
  • #4
On a possibly superficial level, it's because Snells Law applies and the Sine of an angle can't be bigger than 1. That means there can't be a refracted wave and all the energy has to be reflected.
 
  • #5
kimmy510 said:
How is that in refraction of light energy is lost [...]

Why do you claim this?
 
  • #6
sophiecentaur said:
On a possibly superficial level, it's because Snells Law applies and the Sine of an angle can't be bigger than 1. That means there can't be a refracted wave and all the energy has to be reflected.

In other words, light changes direction when it changes between different mediums. If in this change of direction it happens to point back away from the medium (because of a very acute angle) then it never travels on a line that goes through the medium.

This is what makes water appear to twinkle, flashes of total reflection as the water positions itself at this acute angle with incoming light.
 
  • #7
The point is that the wavelength / speed changes and that sometimes has knock-ons involving the possible directions in which energy can flow as waves.

Bubbles are a good example of TIR, when they sparkle. Cheers! Hic.
 

What is total internal reflection zero?

Total internal reflection zero is the point at which light strikes the interface between two materials at a specific angle, known as the critical angle, and is completely reflected back into the first material without any refraction occurring.

What causes total internal reflection zero?

Total internal reflection zero occurs due to the difference in refractive indices between two materials. When light travels from a material with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index, it bends away from the normal line. As the angle of incidence increases, this bending becomes more pronounced until the critical angle is reached and total internal reflection occurs.

What are some real-life applications of total internal reflection zero?

Total internal reflection zero is used in many optical devices, such as prisms, fiber optic cables, and optical isolators. It is also utilized in technology such as cameras, binoculars, and microscopes to manipulate light and create images.

What is the difference between total internal reflection zero and total internal reflection?

Total internal reflection occurs at any angle of incidence greater than the critical angle, while total internal reflection zero specifically refers to the critical angle itself. Total internal reflection zero is a special case of total internal reflection.

Can total internal reflection zero occur in all materials?

No, total internal reflection zero can only occur in materials where the refractive index decreases as the wavelength of light increases. This is known as a dispersive medium and includes materials such as water, glass, and diamond.

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