When will I get total reflection?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of total internal reflection in optics, specifically questioning the conditions under which it occurs and the behavior of light rays in a plan-parallel slab.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the conditions for total reflection, questioning if sin(theta) can exceed 1. Some participants inquire about the behavior of light rays as they pass through a plan-parallel slab and whether Snell's Law can be applied to track the ray's path.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring the implications of light behavior in different media. Guidance has been offered regarding the application of Snell's Law, but no consensus has been reached on the specifics of total internal reflection.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about light behavior and the conditions for total internal reflection, with some information potentially missing regarding the angles and indices of refraction involved.

CH1991
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Homework Statement




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The Attempt at a Solution



When will I get total reflection? sin(theta)>1?
 

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Does the direction of the light ray change when it traverses a plan-parallel slab?

ehild
 
It does,I guess...
 
And how much does it change? Can you follow the ray by applying Snell's Law?

ehild
 
Thank you!
 

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