Find the angle at which total internal refraction takes place when light is going from glass to air.

The angle at which this takes place is called the critical angle. 

We can apply Snell's law in this situation:  nsin C1 = nsin (90deg)

sin C = n/ n1 

If the second medium is air, then n~1, so sin C = 1/ n1

CT
Answered by Catherine T. Physics tutor

2313 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A ball is initially at rest and is dropped from a height of 10m. Calculate the velocity of the ball when it reaches the ground


There is a train A. On the roof of A is another frictionless train B of mass Mb. A mass Mc hangs off the front of A and is attached to the front of B by rope and frictionless pulley. How fast should A accelerate so that B wont fall off the roof of A.


In an electric propulsion system, alpha particles are accelerated through a potential difference of 100kV at an average rate of 10^20 alpha particles per second. Calculate the average thrust the system can provide.


What is the difference between a longitudinal and a transverse wave?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning