Critical Angle and Total Internal Reflection (Leaving Cert Physics): Flashcards

Angle where refracted ray travels parallel to boundary (refraction = $90°$)

Denser to rarer medium

Light completely reflected back into first medium

Denser to rarer medium & angle $>$ critical angle

$\sin C = \frac{1}{n}$

$n = \frac{1}{\sin C}$

Smaller critical angle

$90°$

None - no light energy is lost

Rarer to denser medium

Circular region underwater showing compressed above-water view

$\frac{4}{3}$ or approximately 1.33

$n > 1.414$