- #1
jsalapide
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If the transparent material has an index of refraction of 1.2, what is the angle of incidence beyond which total internal reflection occurs?
Total Internal Reflection in Refraction Physics: Solving for Critical Angle
- Thread starter jsalapide
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This is because at an angle of incidence greater than 56.44 degrees, total internal reflection will occur, meaning that all of the light will be reflected back into the material instead of being transmitted through it. In summary, the critical angle for total internal reflection is 56.44 degrees and any angle of incidence beyond this will result in total internal reflection.
- #2
jsalapide
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I solved for the critical angle and I got 56.44 degrees,
Should the answer be "greater than 56.44 degrees" so that the total internal reflection may occur?
- #3
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EDIT: this is in response to post #1.
You'll have to show some work on the problem before receiving help.
Snell's Law is helpful here. You could also review your textbook or lecture notes discussion of total internal reflection.
Last edited:
- #4
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Correctjsalapide said:
Since they are asking for the angle beyond which total internal reflection occurs, the answer is simply 56 degrees.
Related to Total Internal Reflection in Refraction Physics: Solving for Critical Angle
1. What is refraction in physics?
Refraction refers to the bending of light as it passes through different mediums, such as air, water, or glass. This bending occurs because light travels at different speeds in different mediums.
2. What is Snell's law of refraction?
Snell's law of refraction is a principle that describes the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction of a light ray passing through two different mediums. It states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the speeds of light in the two mediums.
3. How is the speed of light related to refraction?
The speed of light is related to refraction because it determines the degree to which light bends as it passes through different mediums. The speed of light is slower in denser mediums, causing the light to bend more, while it is faster in less dense mediums, causing less bending.
4. What factors can affect the amount of refraction?
The amount of refraction can be affected by several factors, including the angle of incidence, the difference in the refractive indices of the two mediums, and the wavelength of the light. The type of medium and the shape of the boundary between the two mediums can also impact the amount of refraction.
5. How is refraction used in everyday life?
Refraction is used in many everyday applications, such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, and camera lenses. It is also used in the design of optical instruments, such as microscopes and telescopes. Refraction is also important in understanding the behavior of light in the atmosphere, which affects our daily experiences with phenomena such as rainbows and mirages.
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