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4.4 Waves: Pages 210-253 (Pearson), 190-237 (Oxford)

1. Total internal reflection occurs when light travels from an optically dense medium to a less dense one at an angle greater than the critical angle, causing all of the light to be reflected back into the first medium. 2. The critical angle can be calculated using the equation C=sin-1(1/n), where n is the refractive index of the first medium. Angles greater than the critical angle will result in total internal reflection. 3. Total internal reflection is used in applications like optical fibers for telecommunications and endoscopes for internal medical imaging.

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70 views3 pages

4.4 Waves: Pages 210-253 (Pearson), 190-237 (Oxford)

1. Total internal reflection occurs when light travels from an optically dense medium to a less dense one at an angle greater than the critical angle, causing all of the light to be reflected back into the first medium. 2. The critical angle can be calculated using the equation C=sin-1(1/n), where n is the refractive index of the first medium. Angles greater than the critical angle will result in total internal reflection. 3. Total internal reflection is used in applications like optical fibers for telecommunications and endoscopes for internal medical imaging.

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sciencedocsman
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Pages 210–253 (Pearson), 190–237

4.4 Waves (Oxford)

Explain what is meant by total Total internal reflection occurs when light is incident on a surface at an angle greater than the critical angle. Once
internal reflection. it enters the material, none of the light refracts out of the material, it is all reflected within the material.

Write down an equation that can c


be used to find the refractive index n=
v
of a material given the speed of
light in that material.
n−absolute refractive index
State the meaning of each of the c−speed of light in a vacuum
terms in the equation. v−speed of light in the medium
4.4.2 Electromagnetic waves 7

Write down an equation for the


critical angle of light in a material.
C=sin −1 ( 1n )
State the meaning of each of the n−absolute refractive index
terms in the equation. C−critical angle of material

E.g.
Give two uses of total internal
 Optical fibres for TV and phone signals.
reflection.
 Endoscopes for internal imaging during surgery.

(a) (b) (c) 10° is less than the critical


The speed of light in diamond is
c 1 angle – therefore, most of the
1.24 x 108 ms-1. n=
v
C=sin −1
()
n light will refract out of the
diamond and some will be
(a) Calculate the refractive
3× 108 partially reflected.
(b)
index of diamond.
Calculate the critical angle
n=
1.24 × 108
C=sin −1 ( 2.421 )
of diamond.
(c) Describe what would n=2.42(2 dp) C=24.41 ° ( 2 dp )
happen to light incident on
diamond at 10°.
(a) 40° is less than the critical angle – therefore, most (b) 50° is more than the critical angle – therefore, the
The critical angle for water is of the light will refract out of the water and some light will be totally internally reflected.
48.6°. will be partially reflected.

(a) Describe what happens to (c) (d)


light incident of the water 1 c
at an angle of 40°. n= n=
sinC v
(b) Describe what happens to
light incident of the water 1 c
at an angle of 50°. n= v=
sin 48.6 n
Calculate the refractive
4.4.2 Electromagnetic waves 8

(c)
index of water.
(d) Calculate the speed of light
n=1.33 ( 2dp ) 3 × 108
v=
through water. 1.33

v=2.25 ×108 m s−1( 2dp)


c
n=
v

3 ×10 8
n=
1.2 ×10 8
Light travels through a material at
n=2.5
a speed of 1.2 x108 ms-1.

For which angle or range of angles


would we see total internal
C=sin −1 ( 1n )
reflection in this material?
C=sin −1 ( 2.51 )
C=23.58 ° ( 2 dp )

We would observe total internal reflection for incident angles greater than 23.58°.
c
n=
4.4.2 Electromagnetic waves 9 v

3 × 108
n=
2.3 × 108
The speed of light in material X is n=1.30(2 dp)
2.3 x 108 ms-1.

Calculate the critical angle of this


material and explain what this tells
C=sin −1 ( 1n )
us.
C=sin −1 ( 1.301 )
C=50.28 ° ( 2 dp )

We would observe total internal reflection for incident angles greater than 50.28°.

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