(a) What happens to the light ray when the

angle of refraction reaches 90⁰?

6.2 Refracts on the glass-air boundary

(b) This is the limit of the light ray that can

be refracted in air. The angle of
Diamonds are famous for incidence in the denser medium at this
their sparkle. A diamond limit is called the critical angle. Define
gliters when it is moved critical angle.
about. Why does a diamond Critical angle, c: incidence angle, i where
show such brilliance? This refracted angle, r = 90⁰
phenomenon is related to an
important properties of light 3. Diagram 3 shows situation when angle of
called total internal incidence exceed critical angle.
reflection.

Activity 1
Aim: To explain total internal reflection of light

1. Diagram 1 shows a light ray is directed from

air towards a semicircle glass block and
moves out to air.

(a) What happens to the light at this

situation?
Light is reflected in the glass.

(b) Name the light phenomena.

Total Internal Reflection

(c) State two conditions so that this

phenomena can occur.
Light travels from denser medium to less
dense medium.
(a) What happens to the light when it enters Angle of incidence larger than critical
form a denser medium to a less dense angle. i > c
medium?
Refracts away from normal line Activity 2:
Aim: To obtain critical angle and observe the total
(b) Compare the intensity of the refracted ray internal reflections
and the reflected ray inside the glass.
Refracted ray is brighter Procedure
1. Trace the outline of the glass block on a piece
(c) Relate incidence angle and refracted of paper and mark the centre of the glass
angle. block as O. Draw the normal line, N.
Directly proportional 2. Direct a light ray towards O from the curved
edge with angle of incidence i = 20⁰. Observe
2. Diagram 2 shows as the angle of incidence the ray emerging from the glass block.
increases, the angle of refracton also 3. Increase the angle of incidence slowly and
increases. observe the change in the refracted angle

1
 (c) i > c : Total internal reflection

Relationship between Critical Angle, c and

Refractive Index, n

Referring to figure d
and using Snell’s law,
write an equation that
gives the relationship
4. When the refracted angle is 90⁰, mark the between the critical
angle of incidence, i. Measure and the record angle, C, and the
the value of i. refractive index of
5. Increase the value of i and observe the liquid-Y, n
direction of the ray after reaching the border
between the two mediums. State the relationship between refractive index
with critical angle of a material.
Results: n = sin r i = c , r = 90°
1. If the angle of refraction, r < 90⁰, what sin i
happens to the refracted ray? n = sin 90
Refracts away from normal line sin c
n= . 1 .
2. Measure the incident angle, i, when refracted sin c
angle is 90⁰. n inversely proportional to sin c.

i = 42⁰ Exercise 1

3. When the incidence angle is further 1. Figure 2 shows three light rays, X, Y and Z,
increased, the ray upon reaching the border incident at the mid-point of AB of a semi
between the two mediums will be circular glass block of critical angle 42°.
Total internal reflection occurs. <NOZ = 30° , <NOY = 42° and <NOX = 60°.
Draw the direction of the rays of X, Y and Z
4. Complete the following diagram based from from O and label them as X’, Y’ and Z’
your observation in 1,2 and 3. respectively.

Observation 1 Observation 2 Observation 3

i <c i=c i>c

Discussion:
1. Explain why the light ray must be directed at
2. The refractive index of water is 1.33. What is
the centre of the glass block from the curved
the critical angle of the water?
edge?
n= . 1 .
Light parallel with normal line
sin c
1.33 = . 1 .
2. What is the critical angle, c of the glass
sin c
block used?
Sin c = 1/1.33
c = 48.75⁰
c = 42⁰
3. Predict what will happen to the incident light
3. Describe the path of the light ray at the
ray shown in the image. Support your answer
straight edge of the glass block for each
with calculations. (Refractive index of water
case.
is 1.3)
(a) i < c: Refracts away from normal line
n = 1/sin c
sin c = 1/n = 1/1.33
(b) i = c: Refracts on the glass-air boundary

2
 c = 50° Activity 3
i > c , total internal reflection Aim: Explain natural phenomenon and
Application of Total Internal Reflection

1. Mirage
On hot days, a distant road will appear to have
pools of water lying on the surface. When
reached at the place, the pool of water disappears
and actually it does not exist. This phenomena is
called mirage, How this phenomena occurs?

4. The diagram shows a light ray entering in a

glass prism. [Refractive index of glass = 1.51]

➢ On hot day, compare the temperature of air at

higher level and air near the road surface.
The air at higher level is cooler.

➢ Compare the density of hot air and the cool

air.
Cool air is denser.

➢ What happens to the light ray from the sky

which travels from denser to less dense air?
Light rays refracted away from normal line
(a) Determine the critical angle of the glass.
sin c = 1 . ➢ Incident angle will increase. Compare
1.51 incident angle with critical angle.
c = 42 ⁰ Incident angle > critical angle
(b) Draw the ray light after it passes through a ➢ If the observer’s eye is in the correct position,
point P. he will see a pool of water (image of the sky)
appearing on the road surface. Explain why.
5. The diagram shows a light ray travelling from ➢ When incident angle > critical angle, total
air into a glass prism. What is the critical internal reflection occurs.
angle of the glass? ➢ The light is reflected towards the eye of the
observer.
➢ The eyes interpret light comes from the road
not from the sky.
➢ The observer will see the image of the sky (as
pool of water) appearing on the road surface.

2. Rainbow

A rainbow is a colourful natural phenomenon.

When sunlight shines on millions of water

3
droplets in the air after rain, we see a ➢ What happens as light ray enter the
multicoloured. binocular?
Total internal reflection

➢ Draw ray diagram to show the light rays that

enter the periscope.

➢ Name phenomenon which is the separation of

light into colours arranged according to their
frequency.
dispersion

➢ State three light phenomena which produce

rainbow.
Dispersion, refraction, total internal reflection

➢ What happens when white light enters the

raindrops?
Refracted & dispersed into 7 colours
components inside the raindrops ➢ State the characteristic of the image formed.
Virtual, upright, same size
➢ What happens when the dispersed light hits
the back of the raindrop. ➢ Explain two advantages of using glass prism
It undergoes total internal reflection.
It is then refracted again as it leaves the drop. periscope instead of plane mirror periscope.
➢ The image is brighter because all the light
➢ The colours of a rainbow run from violet energy is reflected.
along the lower part of the spectrum to red ➢ The image is clearer becasuse there are
along the upper part. no multiple images as formed in a mirror
periscope.
3. Prism Periscope
4. Binocular

➢ Name component to built a perscope.

Two 45⁰ glass prisms

➢ What is:
Incident angle : 45⁰ ➢ State the use of a binocular.
Critical angle : 42⁰ See distant objeck

➢ What happens as light ray enter the

➢ Compare incident angle, i, and critical angle, r, binocular?
i>c Total internal reflection

4
➢ State the characteristics of the final image in
the binocular. TUTORIAL 5.3
Virtual, upright, same size
1 Which of the following shows total internal
➢ Draw a ray diagram to show the light rays reflection? C
after entering the binocular.

5. Fibre optics

➢ What are the uses of fibre optics?

Communication, medicine

➢ Name the material for fiber optic. 2 The diagram shows light ray XO experiencing total
Glass internal reflection when traveling from glass to air.

➢ Compare the density of the inner core,Q, and

the outer cladding, P.
density : Q > P

➢ Compare the refractive index of the inner

core, Q, and outer cladding, P.
Indeks biasan/ refractive index : Q > P
Which statements about total internal reflection are
➢ Explain why the light ray experiences total correct?
internal reflection when it hits the inner wall
of the optical fibre. P – θ is more than the critical angle of glass
Incident angle > critical angle, i > c Q – The speed of light in glass is higher than in air.
R – The refractive index of glass is greater than air.
➢ Complete the light path in the fibre optic. A. P and Q C. P and R
B. Q and R D. P, Q and R

3 The diagram shows a light ray, P, directed into a

glass block. The critical angle of the glass is 42°. In
which direction does the light move from point Q? C

➢ Give advantages of the fibre optics.

➢ they are much thinner and lighter
➢ a large number of signals can be sent at one
time
➢ very little loss in energy over great distance
➢ the signals are safe and free of electrical
interference
➢ Boleh bawa data untuk computer dan
rancangan TV
➢ they can carry data for computer and TV
programmes.

5
4 The diagram shows a cross-section of a fiber optic
cable.

Which comparison is correct?

A. Density of P < density of Q
B. Density of P > density of Q
C. Density of P = density of Q
8. Diagram 17 shows the path of light from P to
5 The diagram (i) and diagram (ii) show light rays O.
traveling from glass to air at different incident angles.

Which angle is the critical angle of the glass?

A. P
B. Q The critical angle of water is 48⁰. If θ = 48⁰,
C. R which is the correct path of light after
D. S passing through point O?
A. OR
6. Which diagram shows a ray hitting a semi-circular B. OS
glass block at the critical angle, θ? A C. OT
D. OU

9. Diagram19 shows a ray of light propagates in

a semi circular block.

Apakah indeks biasan blok kaca lutsinar?

What is the refractive index of the transparent
7. The critical angle of a type of coloured liquid is block?
48⁰. Which diagram shows the total internal A. 1.25
B. 1.33
reflection? (2009) D
C. 1.43
D. 1.66

10. Which instrument uses the concept of total

internal reflection?
A. Microscope
B. Magnifying glass
C. Prism Binocular
D. Astronomical telescope

6
PAPER 2 SECTION A Periscope

1. (SPM 1993) 2. Question 6: Spm 2006

Figure 3.1 shows that a light ray being incident Rajah 4.1 menunjukkan sebuah kapal selam yang
perpendicularly to the surface PQ of a glass prism dilengkapi dengan alat optik P.
PQR. The refractive index of the prism is 1.5. Diagram 16.1 shows a submarine equipped with
an optical instrument P. Diagram 16.2 shows the
structure of the optical instrument P.

(a) Find the angle of incidence at the surface PR.

45°

(b) Calculate the critical angle of the prism.

n = 1/sin c
sin c = 1/1.5
c = 41.8 = 42⁰

(c) (i) Explain what happen to the light ray after if

strikes the surface PR.
Total internal reflection

(ii) State the condition for the phenomenon

in (c)(i) above to take place.
Light travels from denser medium (glass) to
less dense medium (air)
i>c
(a) Name the optical instrument P. [1 mark]
(d) Another identical glass prism XYZ is Periscope
arranged as shown in Figure 8.2 below. Two
parallel light rays K and L are incident (b) In Diagram 16.2, two glass prisms must be
perpendicularly onto the surface PQ. placed so that the object can be seen by the
observer. The position of one of the glass
(i) In the diagram, draw the correct path of prisms is as shown.
the light rays K and L until they emerge (i) In box A in Diagram 4.2, draw and shade the
from the prism XYZ. second prism. [1 mark]

(ii) Explain why the prisms in optical instrument

P are placed as in 16(b)(i).
Total internal reflection can occur.
(ii) Name the device which uses the above [1 mark]
arrangement of prism.

7
(c)(iIn Diagram 4.2, complete the path of the light
ray from the object to the observer’s eye. Prism P: Increases
[1 mark]
Prism Q: Decreases
[2 m]
(ii) Diagram 5.1 shows the light ray passing
from glass to air at point B. Compare the
density of glass with the density of air.
Density of glass > air
[1]
(iii) Based on Diagram 5.1 and Diagram 5.2,
what happen to the light ray after passing
point B?

5.1: Refraction away from normal line

5.2: Total Internal reflection

(ii) State one characteristic of the image [2 m]
observed. [1 mark] (d) Name the phenomenon shown in Diagram 5.2.
Virtual, upright and same size Total internal reflection
[1 m]
(b) The refractive index of the glass prism is 1.52.
Calculate the critical angle of the glass prism. 4. SPM 2016
[2 marks] Diagram 7 shows the structure of a rear reflector
n = 1/sin c = 1.52 of a bicycle created by a student. The reflector
c = 41.14⁰ consists of identical plastic prisms which have
critical angle of 42°.

(a) What is the meaning of critical angle?

3. Diagram 5.1 and diagram 5.2 shows a light ray
passing through prism P and prism Q, ………………………………………………………………
respectively. Prism P and prism Q are made [1 mark]
of glass with different densities. (b) (i) On diagram 7, complete the ray of light
after
entering the reflector.
[1 mark]

Diagram 5.1 Diagram 5.2

(a) What is meant by critical angle? Thick (√) the

correct answer in the box provided.

_____ The angle of incidence when the angle of

refraction is 90º.

_____ The angle of incidence when the incident

ray is totally reflected.
. [1 mark]

(b) Explain why the light ray does not bend when
it enters both prisms at point A. [1 m]
Incident ray parallel with the normal line.

(c) (i) Based on Diagram 5.1 and

Diagram 5.2, how can the angle of ii. Based on answer in 7(b)(i), what happens to
incidence at point B be made equal to the the ray of light after entering the reflector.
critical angle? Give one reason for your answer.

8
Refracted away from normal line. i < c
[2 marks]

(c) Based on the observation in 7(b)(ii), the

student found that a few modifications should
be made so that the reflector reflects more
light. The modifications are based on the
following aspects:
(i) The angle of prism used
45°

Reason
Total internal reflection can occur.
[2 marks]
(ii) Number of prism used
Many

Reason
Brighter
[2 marks]

(d) Based on the prism in Diagram 7, calculate the

refractive index of the plastic prism used.
[2 marks]

n = 1/sin 42°
= 1.49