Total Internal Reflection Question

[BrooklynBees]

I have written in my notes the following:

"Total internal reflection will have reflecting ray only, same as incident (60 degrees)."

I understand everything but the 60 degrees part. If there is total internal reflection, will the angle of reflection and the angle of incident both always be 60 degrees? That doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Opario]

The rule for reflection is, of course, that the incident angle equals the reflected angle. 60 degrees was quite likely just an example that you have since forgot about. At least, I can't think of any TIF rule that has to do specifically with 60 degrees.

 

[Moetasim]

Total internal reflection is a phenomenon that occurs when a light ray traveling through a denser medium reaches the boundary with a less dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle. In this scenario, all of the light is reflected back into the denser medium instead of being refracted into the less dense medium.

The statement in your notes, "Total internal reflection will have reflecting ray only, same as incident (60 degrees)," is not entirely accurate. The angle of reflection in total internal reflection can vary depending on the angle of incidence. The critical angle at which total internal reflection occurs is dependent on the refractive index of the two mediums.

For example, if light is traveling from water (with a higher refractive index) to air (with a lower refractive index), the critical angle is approximately 48.6 degrees. This means that any incident angle greater than 48.6 degrees will result in total internal reflection. So, the angle of reflection will be equal to the angle of incidence in this scenario.

However, if the light is traveling from glass (with a higher refractive index) to water (with a lower refractive index), the critical angle is approximately 61 degrees. In this case, any incident angle greater than 61 degrees will result in total internal reflection. So, the angle of reflection will not always be 60 degrees in this scenario.

In summary, the angle of reflection in total internal reflection can vary and is dependent on the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the two mediums involved.