At what angle does total internal reflection occur?

This question is to do with the refraction that occurs when a light ray hits a boundary between two media of different refractive index. We know that the relationship between the angle of incidence and angle of refraction is given by Snell's law. Using this, and the fact that total internal refraction occurs at an angle of 90 degrees to the normal of the boundary, we can calculate an angle of incidence that leads to total internal refraction for any material.

Answered by Alex S. Physics tutor

4215 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Please describe the change in velocity of someone falling from a plane before they open their parachute


Describe the process of the big bang


Jane drops a football from the roof onto the ground below. The ball weighs 0.8kg and the distance the ball falls is 5m. Assuming there are no external forces acting on the ball, what speed will the ball be travelling at just before it hits the ground?


(A-level but box won't let me change it from GCSE) A particle of charge q and initial speed v is stopped by a potential difference V in distance d and time t. What was its initial momentum?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences