TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION

(Water to air), (glass to water) etc.

1. For a ray of light through a semi circular glass block, when the incident ray hits the glass
air- boundary at 90 degrees , the refracted ray emerges from the glass block without any
deviation

2. If the angle i is less than the critical angle, the ray is refracted and passes out of the
glass. Small amount is reflected

i<c
3. If the angle of incidence is = to the critical angle, the ray is refracted at 90 degrees.
 i = c, r = 90 degrees
Definition:
The critical angle, c, is the angle for which the angle of refraction is 90 degrees when
the incident ray leaves a denser medium to a less dense medium. The refracted ray
travels along the boundary of the two media.
Different materials have different critica angles. E.g water = 49 deg, plastic = 42 deg, glass 41-
42 deg, diamond 24 deg.

Refractive index n, = sin i / sin r(from air to glass)

= sin 90 / sin C
= 1 / sin c
4. When the angle is further increased beyond the critical angle,c, the ray of light is totally
internally reflected.

i>c
Conditions of total internal reflection
I. Incident ray should be in the denser medium.
II. i>c
Total internal reflection in prisms
1. A glass prism can turn a ray of light through 90 degrees
2. A glass prism can turn a ray of light through 180 degrees.

Applications
Bicycle reflectors
Binoculars