1. Total Internal Reflection
air 1 2 3 4 5
Water/Glass/Plastic
Light source or reflected light from object in water

2. Total Internal Reflection
air
Solve problems with Snell’s Law:
(1.33)(sin qc) = (1.00)(sin 90)
sin qc = nr/ni
qc = 48.8o
(if the incident ray strikes the boundary more than 48.8o, total internal reflection occurs). 4 c
Water/Glass/Plastic
Light source or reflected light from object in water

3. Total Internal Reflection
air
qc is the critical angle. It is the qi that gives a qr = 90o. Any qi > qc the ray of light can not leave the water and is COMPLETELY reflected back into 1st medium. (NO transmission to the 2nd medium) 4 c
Water/Glass/Plastic
Light source or reflected light from object in water

4. Total Internal Reflection Summary
Occurs when light passes from a more optically dense medium into a less dense medium
qi is large (larger than qc)
Find qc with Snell’s Law
All light is reflected back into 1st medium

5. Total Internal Reflection Applications
Fiber optic communication cables (better info transfer)
Fiber optic surgical tools/cameras
Telescopes
Binoculars