Total Internal Reflection

 
6.2  Total Internal Reflection
 
  Total Internal Reflection  
 

Reflection of light rays at the border of two medium when the angle of incidence in an optically denser medium is greater than the critical angle.

 
     
 
  The critical angle, c  
 

 The maximum angle of incidence before the total internal reflection can occur

(\(r^0=90^0\))

 
     
 

Conditions for total internal reflection:

  • i > c
  • light moves from denser \(\rightarrow\) less dense medium
 

Examples of total internal reflection:

  • Mirage
  • Prism periscope
  • Prism binocular
  • Fiber optics